Understanding the Growth of Electrodeposited PtNi Nanoparticle Films Using Correlated In Situ Liquid Cell Transmission Electron Microscopy and Synchrotron Radiation

Electrodeposition is a versatile method for synthesizing nanostructured films, but controlling the morphology of films containing two or more elements requires a detailed understanding of the deposition process. We used liquid cell transmission electron microscopy to follow the electrodeposition of PtNi nanoparticle films on a carbon electrode during cyclic voltammetry. These in situ observations show that the film thickness increases with each cycle, and by the fourth cycle, branched and porous structures could be deposited. Synchrotron studies using in situ transmission X-ray microscopy further revealed that Ni was deposited in the oxide phase. Ex situ studies of bulk electrodeposited PtNi nanoparticle films indicated the number of cycles and the scanning rate were the most influential parameters, resulting in a different thickness, a different homogeneity, a different nanoparticle size, and a different surface structure, while the precursor concentration did not have a significant influence. By varying the potential range, we were able to obtain films with different elemental compositions.