Platinum Metals Review - Volume 56, Issue 4, 2012

The electrochemical behaviour of platinum as a regenerator electrode during the photolysis of buffered aqueous solutions of ferrocyanide ([Fe(CN)6]^4–) as a source of hydrated electrons for hydrogen production was investigated. Optimum conditions for the heterogeneous reduction of ferricyanide ([Fe(CN)6]^3–) in aqueous suspensions of semiconductor nanoparticles were determined, and hydrogen generation was explored in both homogeneous and heterogeneous aqueous systems. Experiments took place in a three-electrode cell. The results indicated that the Pt gauze electrode gave adequate and reproducible photoelectrochemical performance during the photolysis of aqueous solutions of [Fe(CN)6]^4– in 0.2 M pH 6 phosphate buffer. The results provide evidence for the important role of Pt in photolysis studies that aim towards harvesting solar energy.

3-Hydroxycarboplatin, a simple carboplatin derivative, was synthesised using a novel method, characterised and evaluated for its anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo. It shows comparable antitumour activity to that of carboplatin but has much lower toxicity particularly with respect to myelosuppression, revealing great potential for development as a new antitumour platinum drug to replace carboplatin.

The microstructures of as-cast and annealed platinum alloys of different compositions were revealed after electrolytic etching in hydrochloric acid/sodium chloride solution using direct current. It was shown that the etching process enhances good microstructural images of platinum-aluminium based alloys.