An easy single-step synthesis of platinum nanoparticles embedded in carbon

A template-free single-step route for the synthesis of spherical Pt nanoparticles embedded in carbon was investigated. The reaction products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), micro-Raman spectroscopy as well as electrochemically. The Pt-C composite was synthesized using Swagelok stainless steel union parts. SEM of the obtained product was carried out on a field emitter SEM LEO Supra 35VP with in lens detector combined with an Oxford Instruments EDX INCA Energy 200. The particle morphology was studied with TEM on a JEOL-JEM 100 SX microscope, working at a 100 kN accelerating voltage. It was observed that the content of amorphous carbon is higher in the materials synthesized at higher temperature.