Graphene as a new carbon support for low-temperature fuel cell catalysts

Abstract

Highly dispersed catalysts on a conductive support, commonly platinum and platinum-based catalysts, are used as electrode materials in low-temperature fuel cells. Carbon blacks are commonly used as fuel cell catalysts supports, but their properties are not completely satisfactory. Thus, in the last years carbon black alternative materials such as nanostructured carbons, ceramic and polymer materials have been proposed as fuel cell catalyst supports. Very recently, in consideration of their high surface area, high conductivity, unique graphitized basal plane structure and potential low manufacturing cost, graphene nanosheets have been investigated as a support for low-temperature fuel cell catalysts. This paper presents an overview of graphene nanosheets used as supports for fuel cell catalysts. In particular, the catalytic activity and durability of catalysts supported on graphene are compared with those of catalysts supported on the commonly used carbon blacks and on carbon nanotubes, that is, on rolled graphene.