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Preparation of platinum-modified boron-doped diamond for electroreduction of CO2

MetadataDetails
Publication Date2017-04-01
JournalIOP Conference Series Materials Science and Engineering
AuthorsJasril Jasril, Jarnuzi Gunlazuardi, Tribidasari A. Ivandini
InstitutionsUniversity of Indonesia
Citations5
AnalysisFull AI Review Included

Technical Documentation & Analysis: Platinum-Modified BDD for CO2 Electroreduction

Section titled “Technical Documentation & Analysis: Platinum-Modified BDD for CO2 Electroreduction”

This documentation analyzes the preparation and performance of platinum-modified boron-doped diamond (Pt-BDD) electrodes for the electroreduction of carbon dioxide (CO2R). The findings confirm BDD’s role as a superior, stable platform for electrocatalysis, significantly enhanced by targeted metal modification.

  • Core Achievement: Successful preparation of Pt-BDD electrodes, confirmed by FESEM and XPS, demonstrating enhanced catalytic properties for CO2 electroreduction.
  • Catalytic Improvement: The presence of deposited Pt particles shifted the CO2 reduction potential from -0.7 V (unmodified BDD) to a lower, more energy-efficient -0.5 V (Pt-BDD) vs Ag/AgCl.
  • Material Foundation: The study utilized Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD), leveraging its wide potential window and high electrochemical stability, making it an ideal substrate for harsh electrochemical environments.
  • Deposition Method: Platinum was deposited using chronoamperometry from a 6 mM H2PtCl6 precursor solution at a potential of -0.3 V (vs Ag/AgCl).
  • Characterization: XPS confirmed the metallic nature of the deposited Pt, showing characteristic Pt 4f peaks at 71 eV and 75 eV.
  • 6CCVD Value Proposition: 6CCVD specializes in providing the high-quality, heavily Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) substrates required for this research, along with custom metalization services (Pt, Au, Ti) to replicate or scale this catalytic process.

The following hard data points were extracted from the research concerning the preparation and performance of the Pt-BDD electrodes.

ParameterValueUnitContext
Pt Precursor Concentration6mMH2PtCl6 solution used for electrodeposition
Pt Deposition Potential-0.3VApplied via chronoamperometry (vs Ag/AgCl)
Deposition Electrolyte0.1MH2SO4 solution
Unmodified BDD Reduction Peak-0.7VPotential for CO2 reduction in 0.1 M NaCl (vs Ag/AgCl)
Pt-BDD Reduction Peak-0.5VPotential for CO2 reduction in 0.1 M NaCl (vs Ag/AgCl)
CV Scan Rate100mV/sRate used during electrochemical behavior study
BDD Grain Size (SEM)~5”mObserved crystal size of the BDD substrate
Pt 4f Binding Energy Peak 171eVConfirmed presence of deposited Platinum (XPS)
Pt 4f Binding Energy Peak 275eVConfirmed presence of deposited Platinum (XPS)

The preparation and testing of the Pt-BDD electrodes followed a precise electrochemical and analytical protocol:

  1. Substrate Cleaning: BDD electrodes were cleaned sequentially using 2-propanol, followed by rinsing in double distilled water for approximately 10 minutes.
  2. Precursor Solution Preparation: The deposition solution was prepared using 6 mM H2PtCl6 dissolved in 0.1 M H2SO4.
  3. Electrodeposition Setup: Platinum was deposited using a single cell setup featuring a spiral platinum counter electrode and an Ag/AgCl reference electrode.
  4. Pt Deposition: Chronoamperometry was applied at a constant potential of -0.3 V (vs Ag/AgCl) to deposit the Pt particles onto the BDD surface.
  5. Electrolyte Testing: Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was performed using 0.1 M NaCl and 0.1 M Na2SO4 solutions as electrolytes.
  6. Gas Saturation: Solutions were first bubbled with N2 gas to remove dissolved oxygen and other gases, followed by 30 minutes of CO2 bubbling to saturate the solution prior to CV measurements.
  7. Electrochemical Range: CV measurements were conducted over a potential range of 0 to -2.0 V (vs Ag/AgCl) at a scan rate of 100 mV/s.
  8. Surface Analysis: The successful deposition and morphology of the Pt particles were confirmed using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS).

6CCVD is uniquely positioned to supply the high-performance diamond materials and customization services necessary to replicate, scale, and optimize this CO2 electroreduction research. Our MPCVD BDD substrates offer the stability and conductivity required for next-generation electrocatalysis.

To replicate the high-stability, high-conductivity platform demonstrated in this research, 6CCVD recommends:

  • Heavy Boron-Doped Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD-BDD): Ideal for electrochemical applications requiring metallic conductivity, high corrosion resistance, and a wide potential window. Our PCD-BDD is available in doping concentrations optimized for high current density applications like CO2R.
  • Polished SCD or PCD Substrates: For applications requiring extremely uniform deposition of Pt nanoparticles, 6CCVD offers polishing down to Ra < 1nm (SCD) or Ra < 5nm (Inch-size PCD), ensuring minimal surface defects and maximizing active area uniformity.

The success of this research relies on precise material modification. 6CCVD offers comprehensive services to integrate the BDD substrate with the required catalytic layer:

Research Requirement6CCVD Custom CapabilityTechnical Benefit for CO2R
Pt Catalyst LayerInternal Metalization Services (Pt, Pd, Au, Ti)We offer precise, thin-film deposition of Platinum (Pt) via sputtering or evaporation, providing superior adhesion and highly uniform catalyst layers compared to simple electrodeposition.
Electrode GeometryCustom Dimensions & Laser CuttingWe supply plates/wafers up to 125mm (PCD) and offer precise laser cutting to create custom electrode shapes, sizes, and contact points necessary for specific electrochemical cell designs.
Thickness OptimizationSCD/PCD Thickness Control (0.1”m - 500”m)We can tailor the BDD film thickness to optimize conductivity and minimize ohmic losses, crucial for scaling up CO2 electroreduction reactors.
Global LogisticsGlobal Shipping (DDU/DDP)We ensure reliable, fast delivery of sensitive diamond materials worldwide, simplifying procurement for international research teams.

6CCVD’s in-house PhD team specializes in optimizing diamond material properties for advanced applications, including electrochemistry and sensing. We can assist researchers in:

  • Material Selection: Determining the optimal boron doping level and crystal orientation (SCD vs. PCD) to maximize CO2 reduction efficiency and product selectivity (e.g., formaldehyde, formic acid).
  • Interface Engineering: Consulting on the best metalization schemes (e.g., Ti/Pt/Au stacks) to ensure robust electrical contact and long-term stability in aggressive electrolytes (like those containing H2SO4 or NaCl).
  • Surface Preparation: Advising on specific polishing or surface termination techniques necessary for uniform nanoparticle nucleation and deposition.

For custom specifications or material consultation, visit 6ccvd.com or contact our engineering team directly.

View Original Abstract

Metal-modified boron-doped diamond has been prepared for preliminary study of CO2 electroreduction. Pt was electrodeposited at boron-doped diamond (BDD) by using chronoamperometry technique. The precursor metal solution concentration of 6 mM was applied with deposition potentials of -0.3 V (vs Ag/AgCl). Characterization by using FESEM and XPS confirmed the presence of Pt on the surface of BDD. Cyclic voltammetry was applied to obtain an optimum condition for electroreduction of CO2. CO2 dissolved in 0.1 M NaCl and 0.1 M Na2SO4 solutions were applied. A reduction peak, attributable to CO2, appeared at a potential of -0.7 V (vs Ag/AgCl) in NaCl solution, while no peak was observed in Na2SO4 solution. The result indicated that the metal-modified electrodes has successfully prepared as a working electrode for CO2 electroreduction.