Solution Plasma Sputtering Processes for the Synthesis of PtAu/C Catalysts for Li-Air Batteries

Clean, nanosized PtAu/C catalysts were fabricated, using a simple one-step synthesis technique that involved sputtering discharge in liquid, and did not require the use of chemical species such as surfactants and/or reductants. This solution plasma sputtering was driven by a pulsed power supply, and was performed on the discharge between Pt and Au targets in a liquid dispersion of carbon black. Fine PtAu nanoparticles with an average diameter of 5.7 nm were uniformly deposited on the carbon support. The production and composition of the PtAu nanoparticles could be controlled via changes in the sputtering conditions. The Au-rich Pt19Au81/C (atomic %) catalysts provided higher specific capacity, even in carbonate-based electrolyte Li-air batteries, reducing the amount of Li2CO3 that was deposited on the bare carbon.