Ion-beam formation of the active surface of methanol oxidation electrocatalysts on the tantalum substrates

The active surfaces of electrocatalysts are formed by the ion-beam-assisted deposition of one of the rare-earth metals and platinum onto tantalum substrates from a neutral vapor fraction and the vacuum-arc discharge plasma of a pulsed ion source. Deposited metal ions are used as agents to aid deposition. The composition and microstructure of the formed surface layers are investigated via scanning electron microscopy, electron probe microanalysis, electron backscatter diffraction, and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. Electrocatalytic activity in the electrochemical oxidation of methanol, which underlies the operation of low-temperature fuel cells, is investigated via cyclic voltamperometry.