Particle shape control using pulse electrodeposition: Methanol oxidation as a probe reaction on Pt dendrites and cubes

Shape controlled Pt particles were synthesized onto tungsten monocarbide (WC) substrates using a pulse electrodeposition method. The particle shape was strongly influenced by the deposition potential, with cubic particles formed using 0.14 V vs. NHE (normal hydrogen electrode) and dendritic particles formed at 0.04V vs. NHE. The crystalline orientation and active surface area of the Pt particles were estimated using Cu stripping voltammetry. Finally, cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry were used to determine the methanol electrooxidation activity, which revealed that the dendritic Pt showed much higher electro-chemical activity than the cubic particles. These results demonstrated the possibility of more effectively utilizing Pt electrocatalysts by controlling the shape of Pt particles. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.