Preparation and Performance of an Unsupported Pt Nanoparticle Catalyst for PEMFC

As the key material of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), the carbon supported Pt nanoparticles are the most widely used catalyst for cathode and anode of PEMFC¹. Unfortunately, the corrosion of the carbon support can lead to a decrease of catalyst performance, stability and lifetime. And then, the research on unsupported Pt catalyst is very important for the commercialization of PEMFC.

We firstly prepared PtO₂ colloidal solution and an unsupported Pt catalyst was obtained by the reduction of PtO₂ colloidal solution. The microstructure and morphology of samples were characterized transmission electron microscopy(TEM). The electrocatalytic performances were measured by cyclic voltammetry(CV), linear sweep voltammetry(LSV) techniques. Reaction time, temperature and pH value have significant influence on catalyst performance. The results were compared with Pt/C-JM.TEM results show that average particle size of this catalyst is 2.46 nm. After treatment at 50 ^oC for 1h in H₂ andN₂ mixture (V_N2:V_H2=9:1), the ECA increased to 43.15 m²·g^-1. It has high oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) onset reduction potential (0.98 V). 

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21006073), the Scholarship Council and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities at Tongji University.

Reference

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