Mesoporous Carbon and Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)\ud Composite as Catalyst Support for Polymer Electrolyte Fuel\ud Cells

摘要

In situ polymerization of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene with sol–gel-derived mesoporous carbon (MC) leading to a new composite\udand its subsequent impregnation with Pt nanoparticles for application in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) is reported. The\udcomposite exhibits good dispersion and utilization of platinum nanoparticles akin to other commonly used microporous carbon\udmaterials, such as carbon black. Pt-supported MC–poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) composite also exhibits promising\udelectrocatalytic activity toward oxygen reduction reaction, which is central to PEFCs. The PEFC with Pt-loaded MC-PEDOT\udsupport exhibits 75% of enhancement in its power density in relation to the PEFC with Pt-loaded pristine MC support while\udoperating under identical conditions. It is conjectured that Pt-supported MC–PEDOT composite ameliorates PEFC performance/\uddurability on repetitive potential cycling.