Preparation and Characterization of Graphitic Particles as Alternative Support for Oxygen Reduction Reaction Catalysts in Fuel Cells

摘要

The suitability of a nanoscale graphite as a catalyst support for use in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) was evaluated and compared with that of most popular commercial catalysts on Vulcan XC72 carbon black. It is observed that the distribution and structure of Pt nanopartcles for the synthesized catalyst and commercial catalysts are similar. The synthesized Pt catalysts show a better electrochemical surface area (ECSA). The accelerated degradation tests were performed using a glassy carbon rotating disk electrode. The results show that the ECSA loss after 1500* cycling for the synthesized catalyst and commercial catalyst was 46.92% and 62.2%, while mass activity loss was 59.2% and 79.9%, respectively. The temperature-programmed oxidation results also show that the synthesized catalysts have better resistance against the corrosion. The results show that nanoscale graphite can be a promising alternative electrocatalyst support to the traditionally- used Vulcan XC72 carbon black