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Novel Graphitised Carbonaceous Materials for Use as a Highly Corrosion‐Tolerant Catalyst Support in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells
Author(s) -
Miyazaki K.,
Shirakata H.,
Abe T.,
Yoshizawa N.,
Ogumi Z.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
fuel cells
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.485
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1615-6854
pISSN - 1615-6846
DOI - 10.1002/fuce.201000075
Subject(s) - materials science , electrolyte , catalysis , chemical engineering , electrochemistry , thermogravimetric analysis , carbon fibers , carbon black , cathode , corrosion , nanoparticle , polymer , electrode , nanotechnology , chemistry , composite material , organic chemistry , natural rubber , composite number , engineering
Cathode catalysts for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) are prepared by depositing Pt nanoparticles on carbon nanospheres (CNSs) and graphitised carbon nanospheres (GCNSs), and their corrosion‐tolerance and electrocatalytic activities for the oxygen reduction reaction are evaluated. Transmission electron micrographs show that the deposited Pt nanoparticles are well dispersed on CNSs. In Pt/GCNS, Pt nanoparticles accumulate selectively along the edges of GCNSs' polygonal surfaces. Electrochemical measurements with a rotating‐ring disk electrode in an O 2 ‐saturated H 2 SO 4 solution show that Pt/GCNS and Pt/CNS produce less H 2 O 2 during oxygen reduction, compared to that obtained with a Pt catalyst on carbon black (CB). Thermogravimetric analysis reveals that GCNSs show greater combustion‐tolerance than CNSs and CB. Furthermore, GCNSs show excellent electrochemical corrosion‐tolerance in a H 2 SO 4 solution. These results indicate that GCNSs are superior for use as carbon supports, and can serve as cathode catalysts in PEFCs even under oxidative conditions.