SANS investigation of Pt-loaded electrodes for polymer electrolyte fuel cells

Pt-loaded carbon catalysts, developed for polymer electrolyte fuel cell tec hnology have been investigated by means of SANS to characterize the Pt clus ter size distribution function. The investigated samples were prepared by d epositing an electrocatalytic layer containing 0.5 mg cm(-2) Pt, on a compo site carbon substrate. A Pt-free support, identical to the one used for the platinized samples, was used as a reference to obtain the SANS signal aris ing from the Pt clusters. Their size distribution function has been determi ned and compared with the results of transmission electron microscopy obser vations. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.