In this collaborative research project, supported by the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program, Professors Scherson and Chottiner propose a systematic study of the effects of platinum particle size on the electrocatalytic properties of platinum supported on various carbon substrates. A series of carbon substrates of varying morphology will be examined, and a battery of modern surface analytical methods will be used to characterize the structure and properties of the supported metal system. This work should provide information important to the understanding of electrocatalytic processes, and draws on the complementary expertise in electrochemistry, surface analysis, and materials research of the co-principal investigators. %%% Studies of platinum particle size effects for platinum catalysts supported on various carbon substrates will be carried out using a range of surface analytical methods. The understanding to be gained from these studies will be very useful in the design of fuel cell electrodes and other electrocatalytic devices.
