Synthesis of PDDA–Pt nanoparticles for the self-assembly of electrode/Nafion membrane interface of polymer electrolyte fuel cells

PDDA–Pt nanoparticles are synthesized by the alcoholic reduction of the Pt ions in ethanol/water system. The PDDA–Pt nanoparticle size is in the range of 2–4 nm. The electrocatalytic activity of the self-assembled PDDA–Pt nanoparticle/Nafion membrane interface depends strongly on the morphology and agglomeration of the PDDA–Pt nanoparticles, which in turn are related to the PDDA/Pt molar ratio in the ethanol/water solution. The highest activity is obtained on the self-assembled membrane interface with the PDDA–Pt nanoparticles prepared with PDDA:Pt = 1:1. The present study shows that appropriate agglomeration of the PDDA–Pt nanoparticles is beneficial to the electrocatalytic activity of the self-assembled Pt nanoparticle/Nafion membrane interface.