Preparation of Pt/C catalyst using alcohol reduction and a polyol process in the presence of urea for oxygen reduction reaction

The effect of urea hydrolysis was studied on the preparation and properties of Pt/C catalyst. The hydrolysis of urea provided hydroxyl ions in a controlled manner that prevented the localized pH change in the solution and only surface precipitation is resulted in a particle growth. From rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) experiments, the Pt/C prepared in the presence of urea showed better exchange current density toward the oxygen reduction reaction. The rate of H2O2 formation was reduced when urea was used in the alcohol reduction process and it was further decreased in the Pt/C catalyst prepared by the polyol process combined with urea.