Integrated in situ RGB colorimetry and redox potential monitoring as a strategy for controlled synthesis of platinum nanostructures

Original scientific paper

Authors

  • Vladimir E. Guterman Faculty of Chemistry, Southern Federal University, 7 Zorge St., Rostov-on-Don 344090, Russia and Prometheus R&D LLC, 4g/36 Zhmaylova St., Rostov-on-Don 344091, Russia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0403-0074
  • Kirill Paperzh Faculty of Chemistry, Southern Federal University, 7 Zorge St., Rostov-on-Don 344090, Russia and Prometheus R&D LLC, 4g/36 Zhmaylova St., Rostov-on-Don 344091, Russia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4878-9728
  • Elvira Zaitseva Faculty of Chemistry, Southern Federal University, 7 Zorge St., Rostov-on-Don 344090, Russia and Federal Research Center “The Southern Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences” (SSC RAS), Federal State Budgetary Institution of Science, 41 Chekhova St., Rostov-on-Don 344006, Russia https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6658-8438
  • Alina Khudoley Faculty of Chemistry, Southern Federal University, 7 Zorge St., Rostov-on-Don 344090, Russia https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0065-0919
  • Elena Vetrova Research Institute of Physical Organic Chemistry, Southern Federal University, 194/2 Stachki St., Rostov-on-Don 344090, Russia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2042-7963
  • Alina Nevelskaya Faculty of Chemistry, Southern Federal University, 7 Zorge St., Rostov-on-Don 344090, Russia and Federal Research Center “The Southern Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences” (SSC RAS), Federal State Budgetary Institution of Science, 41 Chekhova St., Rostov-on-Don 344006, Russia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5799-9925
  • Anatoly Metelitsa Research Institute of Physical Organic Chemistry, Southern Federal University, 194/2 Stachki St., Rostov-on-Don 344090, Russia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3645-5528
  • Ilya Pankov Research Institute of Physical Organic Chemistry, Southern Federal University, 194/2 Stachki St., Rostov-on-Don 344090, Russia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5302-4792
  • Maria Danilenko Faculty of Chemistry, Southern Federal University, 7 Zorge St., Rostov-on-Don 344090, Russia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5324-6360
  • Alexey Nikulin Faculty of Chemistry, Southern Federal University, 7 Zorge St., Rostov-on-Don 344090, Russia and Federal Research Center “The Southern Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences” (SSC RAS), Federal State Budgetary Institution of Science, 41 Chekhova St., Rostov-on-Don 344006, Russia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1962-1988

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5599/jese.3224

Keywords:

Platinum nanoparticles, platinum-carbon nanocomposite, liquid phase synthesis, carboxylic acids effects, colouring changes, open circuit potential measurements, oxygen reduction reaction

Abstract

Controlling the kinetics of liquid phase synthesis is essential to elucidate transformation mechanisms and tailoring the properties of precious metal nanoparticles (NPs) and nanostructured materials. This study examines the formation kinetics of Pt NPs and supported Pt/C materials via the reduction of H2PtCl6 using formic (FA), citric (CA), and ascorbic (AA) acids. It also analyzes the structural, morphological, and electrochemical properties of the resulting materials. A key innovation is the validation of a novel approach that complements standard methods by combining RGB colorimetry with in-situ monitoring of the reaction medium's redox potential, specifically, open-circuit potential (OCP). This inexpensive technique provides data with accuracy and reliability comparable to established methods such as UV–vis spectroscopy, etc. The research identified distinct kinetic features of the Pt(IV) → Pt(0) transformation for each acid. Significant kinetic differences were observed, with NPs formation time decreasing in the order: FA > CA >> AA. Conversely, the electrochemically active surface area and catalytic activity for oxygen electroreduction increased in the order: AA << FA < CA. Owing to their superior structural characteristics, the Pt/C materials synthesized with citric acid demonstrated a higher electrochemical surface area and greater activity than a conventional commercial catalyst.

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Published

17-03-2026

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Vol. 16 (2026)

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Electrocatalysis

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Copyright (c) 2026 Vladimir E. Guterman, Kirill Paperzh, Elvira Zaitseva, Alina Khudoley, Elena Vetrova, Alina Nevelskaya, Anatoly Metelitsa, Ilya Pankov, Maria Danilenko, Alexey Nikulin

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Integrated in situ RGB colorimetry and redox potential monitoring as a strategy for controlled synthesis of platinum nanostructures: Original scientific paper. (2026). Journal of Electrochemical Science and Engineering, 16, Article 3224. https://doi.org/10.5599/jese.3224

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