| Simultaneous Platinum Nanoparticle Refinement and Carbon Support Structural Modification via Intense Pulsed Light Processing for Improved Oxygen Reduction Reaction |
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Hyunmin Na1, Minwoo Lee2, Dae–Kwon Boo1, Jun–Hwe Cha3, Ji–Soo Jang4, Ji–Won Jung1,5 |
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Advanced Materials Program, Konkuk University, 120, Neungdong–ro, Gwangjin–gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
2Electronic and Hybrid Materials Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
3Revolutionary DRAM Extension, NAR, R&D Division, SK hynix, Ansan–si, Gyeonggi–do 15602, Republic of Korea
4SKKU Advanced Institute of Nanotechnology and Department of Nanoengineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
5Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Konkuk University, 120, Neungdong–ro, Gwangjin–gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea |
Correspondence:
Ji–Won Jung,
Email: jwjung4@konkuk.ac.kr
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Received: 16 March 2026 • Accepted: 1 June 2026 |
| Abstract |
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Intense pulsed light (IPL) irradiation was used as a rapid photothermal method to prepare Pt/C oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts by converting H2PtCl6·6H2O impregnated on Vulcan XC–72 carbon with a small number of pulses (1 and 5 shots). The carbon–black framework was retained after irradiation, while crystalline Pt nanoparticles were formed on the support, as confirmed by electron microscopy. X–ray diffraction showed fcc Pt reflections, and the Pt(111) peak was broader for the 5–shot sample than for the 1–shot sample, which is qualitatively consistent with a reduction in Pt crystallite size between the two IPL conditions. Carbon–related diffraction features became sharper and the Raman (ID/IG) ratio decreased slightly with pulse number, suggesting partial ordering of the carbon support. Pt 4f XPS revealed more pronounced oxidized Pt components after a single pulse, whereas the 5–shot sample showed a higher fraction of metallic Pt species. Considering that the Pt loading values of the two IPL–treated samples were nearly identical, this difference is interpreted as reflecting a difference in Pt surface chemical–state distribution. Because Pt 4f XPS alone cannot distinguish incomplete precursor conversion from post–synthesis surface oxidation precursor–derived residual species are not claimed here. Thermogravimetric analysis verified a reproducible Pt loading of ~22 wt% for the IPL–derived catalysts and showed a higher oxidation–resistance tendency for the 5–shot sample. In RDE tests (0.5 M H2SO4), the 5–shot catalyst showed improved ORR metrics relative to the 1–shot sample, including higher onset potential (0.75 vs 0.73 V), larger limiting current density at 2025 rpm (−6.52 vs −6.28 mA cm–2), smaller absolute Tafel slope (−110.7 vs −126.3 mV dec–1), and higher EDLC (1.2 vs 0.6 mF cm–2). Overall, these results suggest that increasing IPL dose promotes precursor reduction and favorable Pt distribution while modestly enhancing carbon ordering, leading to improved ORR performance. |
| Keywords:
Intense pulsed light, Platinum, Catalysts, Oxygen reduction reaction, Carbon support ordering |
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