ORR activity and PEM fuel cell performance of the platinum catalyst decorated on heat-treated carbon black
This paper presents the findings on the heat treatment of Vulcan XC 72R carbon black. The treatment was conducted at temperatures ranging from 1000 to 1500 degrees C, and the study explores its application as a catalyst support material in PEM fuel cells. The decoration of Pt nanoparticles (NPs), ranging in size from 3 to 4 nm and having loading rates of 13%-15% on support materials, was achieved using a microwave-assisted polyol method. When testing the PEM fuel cell at a retention potential of 0.6 V, the Pt/Vulcan XC 72R-1000 (MEA-2) demonstrated a current density of 649.2 mA/cm2 and a power density of 388.2 mW/cm2 (@0.6 V). The Tanaka catalyst (MEA-6) exhibited a current density of 633.8 mA/cm2 and a power density of 379.0 mW/cm2 (@0.6 V). After subjecting identical catalysts to 1000 aging cycles at voltages ranging from 0.6 to 1.2 V, the PEM fuel cell measurements were repeated at a retention potential of 0.1 V. The Pt/Vulcan XC 72R-1000 and Tanaka catalysts experienced a loss of 22.07% and 58.35% in their current densities (@0.6 V), respectively. Additionally, after exposing the Pt/Vulcan XC 72R-1000 catalyst to carbon corrosion at 1.2 V, the Pt particle size increased from 4.1 nm to 4.3 nm. All analyses revealed that heat-treated Vulcan XC 72R carbon black enhanced the performance and durability of the Pt catalyst in PEM fuel cells, with optimal results achieved at a temperature of 1000 degrees C.
- Journal
- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
- Year
- 2025
- Volume
- 144
- Pages
- 564-581
- ISSN
- 0360-3199
- eISSN
- 1879-3487
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.02.069
- WoS UID
- WOS:001518660400002