Atomic Layer Deposition of Platinum Nanocatalysts onto Three-Dimensional Carbon Nanotube/Graphene Hybrid

Abstract

Nanoparticulate platinum (Pt) has been well dispersed onto a three-dimensional carbon framework, consisting of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene oxide (GO) sheets, through an atomic layer deposition (ALD) route. One liquid-phase homogenizing process is capable of inserting a number of CNTs into the interspacing of GO sheets, forming the CNT#GO hybrid. Two types of ALD precursors, methylcyclopentadienyl-(trimethyl) platinum and oxygen were used to grow Pt deposits at 250 °C. The ALD cycle number acts as a key parameter in affecting the growth of Pt into the CNT#GO framework, showing growth rates of 0.054 nm cycle–1 and 0.00081 mg cm–2 cycle–1 for particle size and weight loading, respectively. The particle size of as-grown Pt deposits exhibits an increase from 2.27 to 12.32 nm within 50–200 ALD cycles. Single-stack cell test confirms the novel design of Pt catalyst electrodes with ultralow Pt loading displaying a superior catalytic activity, showing a promising feasibility for application in fuel cells.