Catalyst Preparation by Electroless Plating and Hydrogen Direct Reduction Methods: Practical Application for a High Cell Performance PEFC

摘要

High performance Pt catalysts for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) were prepared by both the electroless plating and hydrogen direct reduction methods. The catalysts were then characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and cell performance testing. Both methods exhibited superior cell performance compared to the conventional impregnation preparation method. The catalysts that consisted of too many large platinum particles showed remarkably poor cell output compared to the catalysts with smaller platinum particles. Platinum particles less than 2 nm in diameter exhibited an excellent power density per unit of Pt catalyst loading.