Platinum–boron doped graphene intercalated by carbon black for cathode catalyst in proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Abstract

In order to enhance the electrochemical properties, especially durability and cell performance in proton exchange membrane fuel cell, electron deficient boron is doped into graphene, followed by deposition of Pt nanoparticles. Successful synthesis of Pt-boron doped graphene (Pt–B–Gr) by pyrolytic process is confirmed by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and Transmission electron microscopy analyses. Pt–B–Gr is intercalated by different amount of CB (carbon black) based on Pt–B–Gr/CBx (x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4) and applied to cathode in proton exchange membrane fuel cell. The ECSA (electrochemical active surface area) is increased with CB content up to 30 wt.% of Pt–B–Gr from 21.4 to 33.6 m2 g−1 beyond which it is rather slightly decreased to 29.6 m2 g−1. The ADT (accelerated durability test) is conducted where the ECSA is compared at every 400 cycles up to 1200 cycles for durability. The result exhibits that boron doping into graphene significantly enhances the durability. It might be attributed to more tight binding between Pt and B due to the electron transfer from graphene to boron. The cell performance is enhanced and it is attributed to the combined effect of B-doping and intercalation.