Block Copolymer Directed Nanoparticle for Fuel Cell Applications

Abstract

A simple method for synthesizing nanoparticles (NPs ) using a fluorinated block copolymer is proposed. In this method, platinum NPs were introduced, via a reducti on method, into a poly(vinylidene difluoride cohexafluoropropylene) b poly(methyl methacrylate) P((VDF-co-HFP)-b-PMMA) copolymer matrix. NP dispersion was characterized using transmission ele ctron microscopy (TEM) coupled with an energy-dispersive x-ray (EDX) device for spectroscopic analysis, indicating whether NPs were selectively bound to one of the tw o phase separated copolymer blocks. Ultimately, explo itati n of this technology would be a major advantage in th e fuel cell market, specifically as the catalytic electrod es of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs).