New preparation technique and characterisation of nanostructured catalystsfor polymer membrane fuel cells

A novel preparation technique for catalyst layers used in Proton-Exchange-M embrane Fuel Cells is presented. This method enables a selective electroche mical deposition of platinum nanoparticles on those surface areas of the ca rbon support which are in contact with the proton and electron conducting p hases and simultaneously with the gaseous or liquid fuel. Model electrodes consisting of sprayed layers with a Platinum precursor on glassy carbon sub strates were used for the experiments. Size and size distribution of the pl atinum nanoparticles are determined by high resolution transmission electro n microscopy and X-ray line shape analysis; the electrochemical activity of the catalyst layers is investigated by cyclic voltammetry. (C) 2001 Acta M aterialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.