Graphene-derived carbon support boosts proton exchange membrane fuel cell catalyst stability

Autor: Luka Pavko, Matija Gatalo, Matjaž Finšgar, Francisco Ruiz-Zepeda, Konrad Ehelebe, Pascal Kaiser, Moritz Geuß, Tina Đukić, Angelja Kjara Surca, Martin Šala, Marjan Bele, Serhiy Cherevko, Boštjan Genorio, Nejc Hodnik, Miran Gaberšček
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2022
Předmět:
Zdroj: ACS catalysis, vol. 12, no. 15, 2022.
ACS catalysis 12(15), 9540-9548 (2022). doi:10.1021/acscatal.2c01753
ISSN: 2155-5435
DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.2c01753
Popis: The lack of efficient and durable proton exchange membrane fuel cell electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction is still restraining the present hydrogen technology. Graphene-based carbon materials have emerged as a potential solution to replace the existing carbon black (CB) supports however, their potential was never fully exploited as a commercial solution because of their more demanding properties. Here, a unique and industrially scalable synthesis of platinum-based electrocatalysts on graphene derivative (GD) supports is presented. With an innovative approach, highly homogeneous as well as high metal loaded platinum-alloy (up to 60 wt %) intermetallic catalysts on GDs are achieved. Accelerated degradation tests show enhanced durability when compared to the CB-supported analogues including the commercial benchmark. Additionally, in combination with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy Auger characterization and Raman spectroscopy, a clear connection between the sp$^2$ content and structural defects in carbon materials with the catalyst durability is observed. Advanced gas diffusion electrode results show that the GD-supported catalysts exhibit excellent mass activities and possess the properties necessary to reach high currents if utilized correctly. We show record-high peak power densities in comparison to the prior best literature on platinum-based GD-supported materials which is promising information for future application.
Databáze: OpenAIRE