Investigation of the composition and properties of catalytic layers prepared by the ion beam-assisted deposition of tin and platinum on carbon supports

Abstract

Catalytic layers are prepared by the vacuum ion-beam-assisted deposition of tin and platinum onto carbon-based AVCarb® Carbon Fiber Paper P50 and Toray Carbon Fiber Paper TGP-H-060 T supports to produce electrocatalysts for direct methanol and ethanol fuel cells with a polymer-membrane electrolyte. The layers are formed in the mode of ion-assisted deposition, wherein ions of the deposited metal are used as ions assisting deposition. Metal deposition is performed from a neutral vapor fraction, while mixing of the deposited layer with the substrate by accelerated ions of the same metal is carried out from the vacuum arc discharge plasma of a pulsed electric arc ion source. The morphology and composition of the layers is studied using scanning electron microscopy, electron probe microanalysis, X-ray fluorescence analysis, and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. It is demonstrated by means of voltammetric measurements that the resulting electrocatalysts exhibit activity in the oxidation of methanol and ethanol.