Most conversations about nano platinum start and end with PEM electrolysis. That is not the whole picture. Two other places where the same powder is worth evaluating are upgrading an existing alkaline electrolyser cathode and the cathode side of a fuel cell. In both, the number that decides whether it is worth the platinum is not purity — it is utilisation.
Catalysis happens on the surface. Platinum in the interior of a particle is paid for and does nothing. So the useful question is not “how pure is it” but “how much of what I bought is actually exposed”.
| BET surface area | 35 m²/g (manufacturer's specification, SP-B00101) |
|---|---|
| Primary particle size | 5–20 nm |
| Secondary particle size | <200 nm — stated as a specification, not hidden |
| Purity | 97% specified; 99.2% by ICP |
| Morphology / density | Spherical · 21.45 g/cm³ |
We publish the secondary particle size deliberately. Every nano powder agglomerates to some degree, and a supplier who quotes only the primary size is telling you half the story. What you do about it — dispersion route, ink formulation, milling — is a real part of your process design.
Alkaline is the installed base. Most of the world's electrolysis capacity is alkaline, much of it running nickel cathodes with meaningful overpotential. Adding a small amount of highly dispersed platinum to the cathode is one of the routes operators look at to cut cell voltage without replacing the stack.
What we can tell you honestly: this is an evaluation, not a drop-in. Alkaline HER on platinum is slower than acidic HER, the binder and substrate chemistry differ, and the economics depend entirely on the loading you end up needing versus the voltage you save. We will supply material and specifications for that evaluation. We will not pretend it is a bolt-on.
The cathode is where most of a fuel cell's platinum goes, because oxygen reduction is the sluggish half-reaction. Utilisation dominates cost here more than anywhere else in the stack, which is why particle size and dispersion are the specifications a cell designer asks about first.
No. Iridium is the oxygen-evolution catalyst on the PEM anode; platinum is the hydrogen-evolution catalyst on the cathode. They are not interchangeable and we will not sell it as if they were.
We cannot answer that responsibly without knowing your electrode design. Loading is the outcome of your ink, coating and target voltage. Tell us your target and we will supply material for the trial that establishes it.
Powder is standard; dispersions and inks can be discussed. Tell us the carrier and solids you need.
10 g or 100 g bottles. Per-batch certificate of analysis on request.
Tell us your application — a real person replies within 1–2 business days.