Enhancing the durability of Pt nanoparticles for water electrolysis using ultrathin SiO2 layers

Journal Article (2024)
Author(s)

M. Li (TU Delft - ChemE/Product and Process Engineering)

S. Saedy (TU Delft - ChemE/Product and Process Engineering)

S. Fu (TU Delft - Large Scale Energy Storage)

T.P. Stellema (Student TU Delft)

R. Kortlever (TU Delft - Large Scale Energy Storage)

J.R. Ruud van Ommen (TU Delft - ChemE/Product and Process Engineering)

Research Group
Large Scale Energy Storage
Copyright
© 2024 M. Li, S. Saedy, S. Fu, T.P. Stellema, R. Kortlever, J.R. van Ommen
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CY00996C
More Info
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Publication Year
2024
Language
English
Copyright
© 2024 M. Li, S. Saedy, S. Fu, T.P. Stellema, R. Kortlever, J.R. van Ommen
Research Group
Large Scale Energy Storage
Issue number
5
Volume number
14
Pages (from-to)
1328-1335
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Abstract

Extending the lifetime of electrocatalytic materials is a major challenge in electrocatalysis. Here, we employ atomic layer deposition (ALD) to coat the surface of carbon black supported platinum nanoparticles (Pt/CB) with an ultra-thin layer of silicon dioxide (SiO2) to prevent deactivation of the catalyst during H2 evolution. Our results show that after an accelerated durability test (ADT) the current density at −0.2 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) of the unprotected Pt/CB catalyst was reduced by 34%. By contrast, after coating the Pt/CB catalyst with 2 SiO2 ALD cycles, the current density at the same potential was reduced by 7% after the ADT procedure, whereas when the Pt/CB sample was coated with 5 SiO2 ALD cycles, the current density was reduced by only 2% after the ADT. Characterization of the Pt particles after electrochemical testing shows that the average particle size of the uncoated Pt/CB catalyst increases by roughly 16% after the ADT, whereas it only increases by 3% for the Pt/CB catalyst coated with 5 cycles of SiO2 ALD. In addition, the coating also strongly reduces the detachment of Pt nanoparticles, as shown by a strong decrease in the Pt concentration in the electrolyte after the ADT. However, 20 cycles of SiO2 ALD coating results in an over-thick coating that has an inhibitory effect on the catalytic activity. In summary, we demonstrate that only a few cycles of SiO2 ALD can strongly improve the stability of Pt catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction.