Mesoporous Carbon as Support for PtRu Catalyst. Electrochemical and Fuel Cell Characterization

FEDERICO VIVA; MARIANO BRUNO; HORACIO CORTI

ECS Transactions

Electrochemical Society

Año: 2011 vol. 41 p. 1121 - 1130

1938-5862

With the aim to increase dispersion and minimize the size of metal nanoparticles, a mesoporous carbon was used as catalyst support. Mesoporous carbon with controlled pore size was prepared by carbonization of a resorcinol-formaldehyde polymer. PtRu (1:1 ratio) nanoparticles were deposited onto the carbon support by reduction with NaBH4. The obtained catalyst morphology and composition was determined by TEM, PXRD and EDS analysis. Electrochemical active surface area of the catalyst was determined by CO stripping. Electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation was assessed by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Membrane electrode assembly (MEA) was prepared using the PtRu over mesoporous carbon catalyst on the anode. Polarization curves from a single cell fuel cell were obtained using 1M methanol solution on the anode and O2 on the cathode. Electrochemical measurements and fuel cell test showed a better performance when compared to a commercial catalyst.4. The obtained catalyst morphology and composition was determined by TEM, PXRD and EDS analysis. Electrochemical active surface area of the catalyst was determined by CO stripping. Electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation was assessed by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Membrane electrode assembly (MEA) was prepared using the PtRu over mesoporous carbon catalyst on the anode. Polarization curves from a single cell fuel cell were obtained using 1M methanol solution on the anode and O2 on the cathode. Electrochemical measurements and fuel cell test showed a better performance when compared to a commercial catalyst.