Chloride free Pt- and PtRu- Nanoparticles Stabilised by Armand's Ligand as Precursors for Fuel Cell Catalysts

Chloride residues on the surface of fuel cell catalysts arc known to decrease the catalytic activity, especially for O-2 reduction. Using Armand's ligand, which contains the chloride free DCTA anion, for the colloidal stabilisation of nanoscopic Pt and PtRu catalysts precursors (< 2 nm size) leads to PEMFC catalysts with improved activity compared to commercial E-TEK catalysts as evidenced by both methanol oxidation and CO-stripping voltametric studies.