Abstract
AbstractIn this paper, an extensive characterisation of a range of carbon blacks (CB) with similar surface area but different surface chemistry is carried out by flow calorimetry, Raman spectroscopy, dynamic water vapour sorption, instrumental gas analysis, nitrogen adsorption/desorption and high potential chronoamperometry. Using these carbon materials as supports, Pt/CB electrocatalysts are prepared by microwave‐assisted polyol‐mediated synthesis in gram scale. Structural, morphological and electrochemical properties of the prepared electrocatalysts are evaluated by X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, rotating disc electrode and in situ fuel cell characterisation of the corresponding membrane–electrode assemblies. The obtained results allow to establish a relationship between surface chemistry and electrochemical properties useful for the design of Pt/C catalyst layers with high performance and stability.
Highlights
Cathodes of proton‐exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), where the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) takes place, face many challenges to meet activity, durability and cost requirements: the reduction of noble metal loading while keeping high electroactivity,[1,2] the mitigation of catalyst and support degradation to enhance the lifetime of the devices[3,4] and the improvement in water management and mass transport to enhance their performance at high current density.[5,6]
The measurements indicated that CB6 possessed a much larger total volume intruded than the other carbon supports, whereas CB5 had the least total accessible volume
Carbon blacks (CB) with a similar surface area and different surface chemistry were characterised with a range of techniques including flow calorimetry to quantify their hydrophilic, hydrophobic and aromatic character
Summary
Cathodes of proton‐exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), where the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) takes place, face many challenges to meet activity, durability and cost requirements: the reduction of noble metal loading while keeping high electroactivity,[1,2] the mitigation of catalyst and support degradation to enhance the lifetime of the devices[3,4] and the improvement in water management and mass transport to enhance their performance at high current density.[5,6]Carbon blacks (CB) are low‐cost supports conventionally used in PEMFC cathodes. The sample surfaces were cleaned by performing 100 voltage cycles between 0.025 and 1.2 V versus RHE at a rate of 500 mV·s−1 in N2‐saturated electrolyte, after which the electrochemically active specific surface area (ECSA) of the platinum was determined from voltammograms recorded in the same potential range at a scan rate of 20 mV·s−1 in N2‐saturated electrolyte.
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