In situ Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering Analysis of Improved Catalyst -- Support Interactions Through Nitrogen Modification

Kevin N. Wood, Steven T. Christensen, Svitlana Pylypenko, Tim S. Olson, Arrelaine A. Dameron, Katherine E. Hurst, Huyen N. Dinh, Thomas Gennett, Ryan O'hayre

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus Citations

Abstract

In situ small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) is used to investigate the electrochemical durability of Pt-Metal (Pt-M) catalysts sputtered onto nitrogen-modified high surface area carbon powder. The results demonstrate that nitrogen modification promotes catalyst durability through reduction of nanoparticle dissolution and coarsening. Although particle sizes of Pt-M on high surface area carbon supports can be difficult to determine with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), a novel SAXS method has been employed to calculate particle size. SAXS analysis shows that the Pt-M nanoparticle size distribution remained stable for 3000 electrochemical cycles after nitrogen modification, whereas the unmodified support material leads to Pt-M nanoparticle instabilities. These results for industrial-relevant catalyst/support architectures underscore the potential of nitrogen-modified carbon support structures for enhanced Pt-M catalyst durability.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)85-89
Number of pages5
JournalMRS Communications
Volume2
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2012

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/JA-5900-58338

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'In situ Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering Analysis of Improved Catalyst -- Support Interactions Through Nitrogen Modification'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this