Development of MEAs with Pt/Mesoporous Carbon as a Cathode Catalyst

摘要

With the aim of developing durable electrocatalysts for polymer electrolyte fuel cells, we have been working on Mesoporous Carbon (MC), composed by a nano-channel structure with the diameter of ca.10 nm. Based on the increased stability of metal particles on the curved surface comparing to the flat surface, Pt particles are encapsulated into the pores of MC and used as an electrocatalyst (Pt/MC). In this study, membrane-electrode-assemblies were developed with Pt/MC as a cathode catalyst. Their durability on the current-voltage response was evaluated using the potential cycle test at the potential range where the dissolution and re-precipitation of Pt particles occurs. As a result, increased durability has been demonstrated most likely because of reducing Pt mobility on the carbon support. Successful Nafion introduction into nano-cahnnels of MC comes to a key factor to further increase both performance and durability.