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

Pavko, Luka (author), Gatalo, Matija (author), Finšgar, Matjaž (author), Ruiz-Zepeda, Francisco (author), Ehelebe, Konrad (author), Kaiser, Pascal (author), Geuß, Moritz (author), Đukić, Tina (author), Surca, Angelja Kjara (author), Šala, Martin (author), Bele, Marjan (author), Cherevko, Serhiy (author), Genorio, Boštjan (author), Hodnik, Nejc (author), Gaberšček, Miran (author)

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.

• Language: English
• Keywords: PEMFC, durability, carbon support, reduced graphene oxide, mass transport
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FKKT - Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2022
• Number of pages: Str. 9540–9548
• Numbering: Vol. 12, iss. 15
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-140822
• UDC: 66
• ISSN on article: 2155-5435
• DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.2c01753
• COBISS.SI-ID: 116596995
• Publication date in RUL: 19.09.2022

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: ACS catalysis
• Shortened title: ACS catal.
• Publisher: American Chemical Society
• ISSN: 2155-5435
• COBISS.SI-ID: 518529817

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: kemijska tehnologija, kataliza, ogljik, grafenov oksid