Reduced Graphene Oxide-Supported Pt-Based Catalysts for PEM Fuel Cells with Enhanced Activity and Stability

Abstract

Platinum (Pt)-based electrocatalysts supported by reduced graphene oxide (RGO) were synthesized using two different methods, namely: (i) a conventional two-step polyol process using RGO as the substrate, and (ii) a modified polyol process implicating the simultaneous reduction of a Pt nanoparticle precursor and graphene oxide (GO). The structure, morphology, and electrochemical performances of the obtained Pt/RGO catalysts were studied and compared with a reference Pt/carbon black Vulcan XC-72 (C) sample. It was shown that the Pt/RGO obtained by the optimized simultaneous reduction process had higher Pt utilization and electrochemically active surface area (EASA) values, and a better performance stability. The use of this catalyst at the cathode of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) led to an increase in its maximum power density of up to 17%, and significantly enhanced its performance especially at high current densities. It is possible to conclude that the optimized synthesis procedure allows for a more uniform distribution of the Pt nanoparticles and ensures better binding of the particles to the surface of the support. The advantages of Pt/RGO synthesized in this way over conventional Pt/C are the high electrical conductivity and specific surface area provided by RGO, as well as a reduction in the percolation limit of the components of the electrocatalytic layer due to the high aspect ratio of RGO.

Carbon-Supported Pt-SnO2 Catalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction over a Wide Temperature Range: Rotating Disk Electrode Study

“…The relatively low values can be explained by the catalyst preparation technique [20], in which the carbon support was preliminarily impregnated with a precursor followed by reduction. At the same time, with an increase in the platinum content, the average size of platinum nanoparticles exceeded 3.5 nm, which was described in our previous work [40]. According to [41], for particles with a size less than 3.5 nm, predominant for catalysts with a lower platinum content, the crystal orientation of the surface (110) dominates, and its activity in ORR is higher than for (100) Pt sites [42].…”

Small Reduced Graphene Oxides for Highly Efficient Oxygen Reduction Catalysts

“…In particular, graphene oxide (GO) is a promising support material that can serve as an electrocatalyst for PEMFCs owing to its abundant surface functional groups, which are chemically active sites that can be used for catalytic reactions and also act as anchoring sites for metal nanoparticles. However, excessive amounts of oxygen-containing functional groups can reduce the electrical conductivity and electrochemical stability of these systems, making them susceptible to chemical oxidation and decreasing their long-term durability [1,[15][16][17][18][19]. Of all graphene-related materials, the most widely available and commonly used is reduced GO (rGO).…”

“…Of all graphene-related materials, the most widely available and commonly used is reduced GO (rGO). The surface oxygen-containing groups located on the corrugated graphene layers of this material facilitate exfoliation, and its excellent dispersion of metal nanoparticles with a narrow range of sizes allows for its wide application [19][20][21].…”

Pencil Graphite Electrodes Decorated with Platinum Nanoparticles as Efficient Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

“…For this reason, the deposition of catalyst nanoparticles on the surface of carbon-based support materials is a reference model, due to their very high specific surface area. The carbon-based materials that can be used as a support for platinum deposition are carbon nanofibers, carbon nanotubes, carbon nanoparticles (carbon black—CB) and/or graphene oxide [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Furthermore, many data have been recorded for carbon nanostructures as a platinum-supporting material, emphasizing their contribution to electrocatalyst performances.…”

“…Furthermore, many data have been recorded for carbon nanostructures as a platinum-supporting material, emphasizing their contribution to electrocatalyst performances. All studies summarize an improved electrocatalytic activity, with a higher electrochemical surface area [ 5 , 7 ]. The interaction between carbon-based supports and platinum catalysts presents such a large interest due to their ability to balance each other’s deficiencies.…”