Oxygen reduction on platinum nanoparticles deposited onto chromium carbide-derived carbon support

Abstract

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells are very promising energy conversion devices, which have already found application in public transportation. However, one of the obstacles in the even wider application is the sluggishness of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the cathode. Therefore, there is room for development in the field of catalysis synthesis. This study aimed to develop novel carbon support material for the platinum catalyst and to study ORR on the new catalyst. The carbon supports were synthesized from chromium carbide using chlorination at various temperatures (800-900°C). The platinum nanoparticles were deposited onto the chromium carbide-derived carbon supports by two different methods. Thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption/desorption methods were used to characterize the structure of catalyst and catalyst support. ORR was studied with cyclic voltammetry and rotating disk electrode methods. The catalysts showed high activity towards ORR in 0.1 M HClO4 solution.