In Situ Electrochemical Deposition of Pt Nanoparticles on Carbon and Inside Nafion

The paper describes an in situ electrochemical method for depositing platinum nanoparticles on carbon and inside Nafion, i.e. , in proton exchange membrane fuel cell active layer conditions. The method is based on the association of carbon impregnation by H 2 PtCl 6 and electrochemical deposition. It guarantees good ionic and electronic percolations, i.e. , small ohmic drops, high platinum mass fractions (20 to 40% Pt / ( Pt + C ) ) , i.e. , smaller active layer thickness and hence smaller diffusional limitations, and a narrow nanoparticle size distribution (2-4 nm). This provides high efficiency factors and results in high values of specific and mass activities for the oxygen reduction reaction.