Engineering of Pt@Ni,N-doped graphene electrocatalyst based on recycled water bottles waste as an efficient cathode material for PEM fuel cells

Abstract

Fuel cells (FCs) represent one of the most promising clean power sources. Their cost represents a considerable challenge to their widespread commercialization because of their sensitivity and the expensive cost of the employed platinum electrocatalysts. Accordingly, one feature of a fuel cell device that many interested parties are looking for is the engineering of catalysts with a low Pt content. Herewith, Pt supported on nickel loaded nitrogen-doped graphene (Pt@Ni,N-G) was synthesized through a simple pyrolysis process of mineral water bottles waste with urea and nickel metal at 800 °C followed by loading Pt in different proportions via a simple reduction method in aqueous solution at room temperature. The physicochemical and electrochemical properties of a promising Pt@Ni,N-G cathode electrocatalyst for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) were characterized and evaluated using a number of specialized techniques. The results showed that the high Pt@Ni,N-G content enhanced the catalytic activity of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), with a specific activity of 3.13 mA cm−2 and a mass activity of 12.35 mA μg−1Pt at −0.1 V. A maximum power density of 87.8 mW cm−2 was achieved which is closest to that of commercial Pt/C. Designing Pt@Ni,N-G electrocatalysts by recycling waste bottles is not only expected to reduce the cost of fuel cells by ~30 % to raise the industry standard but also protect the environment and humanity from harmful pollutants.