Electroreduction of oxygen using platinum nanoparticles supported on carbon/conductive bipolymeric nanocomposite film for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

摘要

Synthesis and electrochemical characterization of carbon supported platinum nanoparticles dispersed over Nafion-Polyethylene glycol bipolymeric nanocomposite film (Pt/VC/NP) was attempted for catalyzing the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in sulfuric acid medium. The nanocomposite films were surface characterized using Scanning electron microscope, X- ray diffraction pattern, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and Atomic force microscopy analyses. The electrochemical behavior was studied using cyclic voltammetry and linear scan voltammetry under static and hydrodynamic conditions to check the catalytic ability of the electrocatalyst films towards ORR. A good correlation was seen between the conductivity of the nanocomposite films from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and the ORR activity. The higher ORR activity was obtained with the onset potential of 1.08 V vs. RHE and the limiting current density of 1.65 mA/cm~2 for 40 wt. % Pt/VC/NP catalyst film. The ORR kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were calculated and compared with standard Pt/C literature values.