Platinum Tungsten Thin Films

Overview

Individual research project that aimed to quantify platinum tungsten interactions for applications in oxygen reduction catalysis. Thin films were designed and then synthesized using physical vapor deposition to create an ideal surface for study. Electrochemical tests are used to determine the surface morphology and catalytic properties of thin films.

Approach

• Platinum was sputtered onto tungsten by physical vapor deposition on glassy carbon electrodes, with deposition rates measured for each metal.
• Rotating disk electrode (RDE) testing in a three-electrode cell, using cyclic and linear sweep voltammetry to probe surface structure and ORR properties.
• Different platinum thicknesses on tungsten were compared to find the depth at which tungsten influences the platinum surface.

Findings

• Optimal ORR activity at 17 nm of Pt on 5 nm of W, improving further after annealing.
• Annealed Pt₂W showed improved specific activity relative to Pt(111) and appears highly ordered, pointing toward lower platinum use and lower catalyst cost.
• Next step: in-line operando measurements with ICP-MS and FTIR to further quantify stability while testing new configurations.