Synthesis and Properties of Platinum Nanocatalyst Supported on Cellulose-Based Carbon Aerogel for Applications in PEMFCs

Abstract

Platinum nanoparticles supported on nanostructured cellulose-based carbon aerogels (carbonized aerocellulose, CAC) were evaluated in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The CAC substrate was synthesized through the dissolution, gelation, regeneration, supercritical CO2 drying and pyrolysis of cellulose. The Pt nanoparticles deposition was performed by impregnation of the CAC with H2PtCl6, followed by Ptz+ species reduction either under H2 at 300–400°C or in basic NaBH4 solution. While H2 reduction leads to uniform Pt nanoparticles well-dispersed over the CAC surface, larger agglomerates form with NaBH4 reduction, as revealed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). The reduction methods influences the quantity of platinum deposited, which may be increased by using multiple impregnation/reduction steps. The specific surface area of Pt and specific/mass activities towards oxygen reduction of the Pt/CAC materials, investigated using the rotating disk electrode setup, are similar to those of commercial Pt/Carbon Black (CB). Finally, PEMFC unit cell testing demonstrates that a Pt/CAC sample synthesized using three successive impregnation/reduction steps, loaded at ca. 14 wt % Pt/(Pt + C), competes with state-of-the-art Pt/CB electrocatalysts of comparable Pt loading.