(Digital Presentation) The Utilization of Platinum Catalysts Deposited on Carbon Support Synthesized from Coffee Grounds in a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell

Abstract

In this study, carbon support material, derived from coffee grounds was used in the preparation of Pt catalysts for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) application. The carbon material was synthesized using ZnCl2 activated pyrolysis method and the Pt nanoparticles were deposited onto carbon support by two methods: using ethylene glycol or hydrogen as a reducing agent. Synthesis of the catalyst materials on coffee ground derived carbon was successful and produced materials with desirable physical and electrochemical properties. Synthesis through the ethylene glycol reduction method, with catalyst material deposited on the gas diffusion layers and additional Nafion layers, produced the most catalytically active material with an electrochemically active surface area value of 63 mPt 2 gPt −1 and catalytic performance of: current density was 0.56 A cm−2 at 700 mV and maximum power density was 0.56 W cm−2. Methods of boosting PEMFC performance through deposition of catalyst material and adding additional Nafion layers were effective and assisted in increasing the overall PEMFC performance.