On-site characterization of electrocrystallized platinum nanoparticles on carbon and sol-gel thin film modified carbon surfaces

Platinum nanoparticles were electrocrystallized on amorphous carbon film an d on sol-gel modified carbon film deposited on gold mesh grids. These Pt-mo dified surfaces were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Particles deposited on bare carbon surfaces exhibited polytetrahedral crystallographic morphology. Meanwhile, laterall y dendritic growth of platinum formed by aggregation of primary particles ( 3-5 nm) were found on the sol-gel modified carbon surfaces. This is a new k ind of morphology for electrodeposited platinum with a high specific and ac cessible surface area, holding great promise for Pt-catalyzed reactions. Th e characterization gives direct information on the microstructures of elect rochemically produced particles, facilitating function and structure-correl ating studies.