Morphology and electrochemical properties of Pd-based catalysts deposited by different thin-film techniques

作者：Sarto F^*; Castagna E; De Francesco M; Dikonimos T M; Giorgi L; Lecci S; Sansovini M; Violante V

来源：International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2014, 39(27): 14701-14711.

DOI：10.1016/j.ijhydene.2014.07.038

• Palladium
• Electrocatalysts
• Electrodeposition
• Sputtering
• Nanostructures
• Cyclic voltammetry

Pd/C-based electrodes for fuel cells applications were prepared by galvanostatic electrodeposition and DC sputtering of palladium on gas diffusion layers. Different sets of samples were realized by varying the Pd load, for each technique. The surface morphology of the deposits was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Cyclic voltammetry in acidic solution was applied to study the catalytic behavior of the freshly deposited samples and to follow their evolution with increasing cycle numbers. The results showed that, depending on the sputtering or electrochemical technique and metal load, samples grew with different morphologies and showed different electrochemical behaviors, with electroactive surface values ranging between a few tens to some hundreds m(2)/g. Sputtered films were characterized by a microstructure made of sub-micrometric cauliflower-shaped clusters and showed the highest electroactive surface values after prolonged voltammetric scanning. Pd hydride formation with both a and 13 phases and high hydrogen absorption capability were observed in some of the electrodeposited samples, in association to flowerlike micrometric-size clustered structure and hydrogen codeposition during the electrochemical growth process.

• 出版日期2014-9-12