Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://hdl.handle.net/11375/21463
Title: | Atomic-resolution Imaging and Spectroscopy of Platinum-alloy Nanoparticles |
Authors: | Prabhudev, Sagar |
Advisor: | Botton, Gianluigi |
Department: | Materials Science and Engineering |
Keywords: | fuel cells;nanoparticles;electron microscopy;platinum-alloy;EELS;Electrochemistry;Climate change;renewable energy;hydrogen economy;nanotechnology |
Publication Date: | 2017 |
Abstract: | The work presented in this thesis centers on the application of atomic-resolution transmission electron microscopy to study Platinum-alloy nanoparticles. In particular, the thesis focusses on the platinum-iron and platinum-gold systems. Additionally, few other complementary structures based on Pt thin films and nanowires are also characterized. These materials are studied in the context of their catalytic application towards the oxygen reduction reaction in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Here we report on the detailed investigation of many structural and compositional aspects of these catalyst nanoparticles including lattice strain, the surface and bulk atomic-structure, the surface/bulk chemical composition, surface segregation, and atomic ordering. In some cases we have even looked beyond the traditional characterization approaches. For instance, instead of observing the particle structures before and after a particular treatment (e.g., heating and degradation tests), we have captured the dynamics of structural evolution over the entire course of such treatments. These investigations were useful in interpreting their catalytic performances, which opened new perspectives towards further optimization of their material structure on the atomic-level. |
URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/11375/21463 |
Appears in Collections: | Open Access Dissertations and Theses |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
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Prabhudev_Sagar_201704_PhD.pdf | 125.54 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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