Chemically synthesized reduced graphene oxide-carbon black based hybrid catalysts for PEM fuel cells

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 43; no. 40; pp. 18691 - 18701
• Main Authors: Bayrakçeken Yurtcan, Ayşe, Daş, Elif
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 04.10.2018
• Subjects: Carbon black; Hybrid support material; PEM fuel cell; Reduced graphene oxide; Supercritical carbon dioxide deposition; Supercritical carbon dioxide deposition; Carbon black; Reduced graphene oxide; Hybrid support material; PEM fuel cell
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.06.186

In this study, hybrid (synthesized rGO and commercial carbon black (CB) in various weight ratios) supported Pt catalysts were synthesized by using the supercritical carbon dioxide deposition (scCO2) technique for PEM fuel cells. In hybrid materials, rGO to CB weight ratios were changed in between 90:10 to 50:50 which were compared to their plain materials. The physicochemical and the electrochemical characteristics of the materials were examined by using BET, XRD, TGA, TEM, contact angle and roughness measurements, CV and PEM fuel cell performance tests. All these characterizations showed that the hybrid supported Pt catalysts were successfully synthesized. TEM images of the catalysts confirmed the highly dispersed and small nanoparticle formation (1.9–2.9 nm) via scCO2 deposition technique. Among the hybrid supported catalysts, catalyst having rGO:CB ratio of 70:30 showed the best PEM fuel cell performance. Electrochemical characterization either fuel cell performance test or CV results indicated significantly enhancement in activity with an increase in CB amount in the support. •Chemically reduced graphene oxide (rGO) synthesis was made.•rGO:carbon black (CB) supported materials were prepared with different ratios.•CB used as a spacer to prevent the restacking of rGO sheets.•Pt nanoparticles were prepared by using scCO2 deposition technique.•Pt/rGO:CB (70:30) catalyst gave the best performance among the hybrid catalysts.