Chapter 5
Preparation of the Catalysts
Shuiping Luo, Min Tang, Yujia Liao, and Pei Kang Shen
Abstract Electrocatalysts are crucial to modern society and economy. To facilitate the application of electrocatalysts and boost their catalytic properties (activity,
selectivity and stability), convenient and controllable preparation methods are highly
desirable. Herein, we introduce the typical preparation methods used in laboratories,
followed by the controllable synthesis of multimetallic catalysts. Then, we present
valuable physical techniques that are frequently employed in promoting the preparation of catalysts. In addition, we emphasize the posttreatment and activation of the
catalysts, which are indispensable to enhance electrocatalytic performance. Finally,
specific examples are given to show the large-scale preparation of electrocatalysts.
Keywords Preparation of the catalysts · Multimetallic catalysts · Post-treatment ·
Large-scale synthesis · Hydrothermal/solvothermal
The preparation process determines the size, shape, composition and surface of the
catalyst, and that directly tunes their catalytic activity, selectivity and stability. Over
the past two decades, a great deal of research has focused on the development of
novel, facile and controllable preparation methods to construct highly efficient catalysts with well-defined structure toward specific electrochemical reactions. Meanwhile, the post-treatment and activation of catalysts have attracted much attention
on electrocatalysis in fuel cells [1–3].
In laboratory, a few milligrams of catalysts are prepared in one batch, which can
be used to systematically evaluate the effects of structural properties on their catalytic
performance. However, the grams of high quality catalysts should be prepared in one
batch to meet the tonnage demand for industry and market usage [4, 5]. Therefore,
S. Luo · M. Tang · Y. Liao
Department of Chemistry, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen
518055, China
P. K. Shen (B)
Collaborative Innovation Center of Sustainable Energy Materials, Guangxi Key Laboratory of
Electrochemical Energy Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi
University, Nanning 530004, People’s Republic of China
e-mail: pkshen@gxu.edu.cn
© Guangxi Science & Technology Publishing House 2021
P. K. Shen, Electrochemical Oxygen Reduction,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-6077-8_5
183
Preparation of the Catalysts
Shuiping Luo, Min Tang, Yujia Liao, and Pei Kang Shen
Abstract Electrocatalysts are crucial to modern society and economy. To facilitate the application of electrocatalysts and boost their catalytic properties (activity,
selectivity and stability), convenient and controllable preparation methods are highly
desirable. Herein, we introduce the typical preparation methods used in laboratories,
followed by the controllable synthesis of multimetallic catalysts. Then, we present
valuable physical techniques that are frequently employed in promoting the preparation of catalysts. In addition, we emphasize the posttreatment and activation of the
catalysts, which are indispensable to enhance electrocatalytic performance. Finally,
specific examples are given to show the large-scale preparation of electrocatalysts.
Keywords Preparation of the catalysts · Multimetallic catalysts · Post-treatment ·
Large-scale synthesis · Hydrothermal/solvothermal
The preparation process determines the size, shape, composition and surface of the
catalyst, and that directly tunes their catalytic activity, selectivity and stability. Over
the past two decades, a great deal of research has focused on the development of
novel, facile and controllable preparation methods to construct highly efficient catalysts with well-defined structure toward specific electrochemical reactions. Meanwhile, the post-treatment and activation of catalysts have attracted much attention
on electrocatalysis in fuel cells [1–3].
In laboratory, a few milligrams of catalysts are prepared in one batch, which can
be used to systematically evaluate the effects of structural properties on their catalytic
performance. However, the grams of high quality catalysts should be prepared in one
batch to meet the tonnage demand for industry and market usage [4, 5]. Therefore,
S. Luo · M. Tang · Y. Liao
Department of Chemistry, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen
518055, China
P. K. Shen (B)
Collaborative Innovation Center of Sustainable Energy Materials, Guangxi Key Laboratory of
Electrochemical Energy Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi
University, Nanning 530004, People’s Republic of China
e-mail: pkshen@gxu.edu.cn
© Guangxi Science & Technology Publishing House 2021
P. K. Shen, Electrochemical Oxygen Reduction,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-6077-8_5
183