Catalysts 2018, 8(9), 377; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal8090377
Optimization and Tunability of 2D Graphene and 1D Carbon Nanotube Electrocatalysts Structure for PEM Fuel Cells
Emeline Remy 1, Yohann. R. J. Thomas 1
, Laure Guetaz 2, Frédéric Fouda-Onana 1, Pierre-André Jacques 1 and Marie Heitzmann 1,*
, Laure Guetaz 2, Frédéric Fouda-Onana 1, Pierre-André Jacques 1 and Marie Heitzmann 1,*
1
CEA, LITEN, DEHT, LCP, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, 17 rue des Martyrs, 38000 Grenoble, France
2
CEA, LITEN, DTNM, L2N, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, 17 rue des Martyrs, 38000 Grenoble, France
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 3 August 2018 / Revised: 21 August 2018 / Accepted: 25 August 2018 / Published: 5 September 2018
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysts for Polymer Membrane Fuel Cells)
Abstract
In this work, N-doped Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) and Few Graphene Layers (FGLs) have been functionalized with platinum nanoparticles using two methods starting with hexachloroplatinic acid as precursor: (i) ethylene glycol (EG) reduction and (ii) impregnation followed by reduction in hydrogen atmosphere. Morphological scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) analyses showed a homogenous dispersion of metal particles with narrow-size distribution onto both carbon supports (Pt/C loadings between 30 wt % and 40 wt %). Electrocatalytic properties of the as-synthetized catalysts toward the Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) was evaluated in aqueous electrolyte using a three electrodes electrochemical cell by cyclic voltammetry (CV) in rotating disk electrode (RDE). It is shown that a mixture of Pt supported on MWCNT and FGLs allows to enhance both the electrochemical surface area and the activity of the catalyst layer. Ageing tests performed on that optimized active layer showed higher stability than conventional Pt/C. View Full-TextKeywords:
PEMFC; MWCNTs (Multi Wall Carbon Nanotube); graphene; nanostructured catalyst support; durability/stability
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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited (CC BY 4.0).
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Remy, E.; Thomas, Y.R.J.; Guetaz, L.; Fouda-Onana, F.; Jacques, P.-A.; Heitzmann, M. Optimization and Tunability of 2D Graphene and 1D Carbon Nanotube Electrocatalysts Structure for PEM Fuel Cells. Catalysts 2018, 8, 377.
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