Catalytic activity of Pt anchored onto graphite nanofiber-poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) composite toward oxygen reduction reaction in polymer electrolyte fuel cells

Abstract

The potential of graphite nanofiber (GNF)–Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) composite is explored as a catalyst support for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs). Due to electron accepting nature of GNF and electron donating nature of PEDOT, the monomer EDOT adsorbs on the surface of GNF due to strong electrostatic π–π interaction. Pt nanoparticles are impregnated on GNF–PEDOT composite by ethylene glycol reduction method and their effects on electro catalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are systemically studied. Pt particles supported on GNF–PEDOT with catalyst loading of 0.2mgcm−2 exhibit a peak power density of 537mWcm−2 at a load current density of 1120mAcm−2, while it was only 338mWcm−2 at a load current density of 720mAcm−2 in case of Pt particles supported on pristine GNF. The superior behavior of GNF–PEDOT supported Pt catalyst could be exclusively credited to the high graphitic nature of GNF and their mild functionalization with PEDOT increasing uniform dispersion of Pt. Indeed, the non-destructive functionalization of GNF with conducting polymer, such as PEDOT, makes them promising catalyst-supports for PEFCs.