Graphitic mesoporous carbon xerogel as an effective catalyst support for oxygen reduction reaction. (8th June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jin, Hong; Li, Jinyang; Gao, Lianxing; Chen, Fuyu; Zhang, Huamin; Liu, Qingyu
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 41:Number 21(2016)
• Page Start: 9204
• Page End: 9210
• Publication Date: 2016-06-08
• Subjects: Carbon xerogel -- Support -- Durability -- Oxygen reduction reaction -- Proton exchange membrane fuel cells; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.04.081
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: Graphitic mesoporous carbon xerogel (GMCX) with high surface area and comparable mesoporous structure is prepared via a sol–gel process with cobalt acetate, followed by the subsequent pyrolysis in nitrogen flow at 1800 °C. 20 wt.% Pt/GMCX catalyst is synthesized using the as-prepared GMCX powder as support. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterizations for Pt/GMCX indicate that Pt nanoparticles dispersed on GMCX have a much smaller average nanoparticle size and narrower size distribution than Pt nanoparticles grown on commercial XC-72 carbon black and GCX powder which we reported before. The results of linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) test demonstrate that the Pt/GMCX catalyst exhibits a higher oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalytic activity than commercial Pt/C and Pt/GCX. The corrosion resistance of the catalysts was evaluated by potential cycling accelerated aging test (AAT). Pt/GMCX catalyst exhibits very nearly the same Pt electrochemical active surface area (EASA) retention as Pt/GCX (53.3% for Pt/GMCX and 53.0% for Pt/GCX), which is higher than that of commercial Pt/C (39.2%). Combined with its facile synthesis process, GMCX powder is a promising substitute for commercial Pt electrocatalyst support in achieving high catalytic activity and good durability for ORR. Highlights: A graphitic mesoporous carbon xerogel (GMCX) support was prepared through a facile synthesis process. Pt nanoparticles were highly dispersed on the surface of GMCX with the average size of 2.8 nm. Pt/GMCX has high catalytic activity and good durability for oxygen reduction reaction.