Highly efficient carbon hybrid supported catalysts using nano-architecture as anode catalysts for direct methanol fuel cells

Abstract

PtCo based nanoparticles in alloy structure were synthesized using the microwave-assisted reduction method. These nanoparticles were deposited on different carbon supporting materials. Here, these supporting materials such as rGO (reduced graphene oxide), rGO-VC (vulcan carbon) and AC-VC (activated carbon-vulcan carbon) were used and the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) activity of single carbon support and hybrid carbon support material in the presence of PtCo nanoparticles were investigated at the same molar concentration. The average particle size of the PtCo nanoparticles detected in the TEM analysis was found to be 3.55 ± 0.64 nm. The MOR activity of the PtCo@rGO, PtCo@rGO-VC and PtCo@AC-VC catalysts was determined, where the anodic peak current of PtCo@AC-VC was determined as 73 mA/cm2. It has been observed that PtCo nanoparticles with carbon hybrid support structures are more advantageous than single support structures due to the synergistic effect between carbon support structures and providing a larger surface area. Compared to previous studies, the MOR activity of PtCo@AC-VC is quite high. It can be stated that PtCo@AC-VC has comparable catalytic activity compared to the commercial available anode catalyst.