Electrocatalytic Study of the Oxygen Reduction Reaction at Gold Nanoparticles in the Absence and Presence of Interactions with SnO Supports.

Here we report that density functional theory (DFT) can be used to accurately predict how Au nanoparticle (NP) catalysts cooperate with SnO ( x = 1.9 or 2.0) supports to carry out the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).

Microelectrochemical Flow Cell for Studying Electrocatalytic Reactions on Oxide-Coated Electrodes.

Here, we report a new kind of microelectrochemical flow system that is well suited for studying electrode modifications, like thin films prepared by atomic layer deposition (ALD), that require substrates to have a two-dimensional form factor. The design provides a means for electrodes to be modified ex situ and then incorporated directly into the flow cell. The electrodes can be removed after testing and further modified or tested before being reincorporated into the flow cell.

Electrocatalytic Reduction of Oxygen on Platinum Nanoparticles in the Presence and Absence of Interactions with the Electrode Surface.

We report that ultraviolet/ozone (UV/O3) treatment can be used to remove sixth-generation, hydroxyl-terminated poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers from dendrimer-encapsulated Pt nanoparticles (Pt DENs) previously immobilized onto a pyrolyzed photoresist film (PPF) electrode. Results from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and electrochemical experiments indicate that removal of the dendrimer proceeds without changes to the size, shape, or electrocatalytic properties of the encapsulated nanoparticles. The UV/O3 treatment did not damage the PPF electrode.

Electron Transfer Facilitated by Dendrimer-Encapsulated Pt Nanoparticles Across Ultrathin, Insulating Oxide Films.

Electrocatalytic oxygen reduction at carbon electrodes fully passivated by Al2O3 is reported. Specifically, pyrolyzed polymer film (PPF) electrodes were prepared and then coated with pinhole-free Al2O3 layers ranging in thickness from 2.5 to 5.