Preparation of Pt-Co catalysts on mesoporous carbon and effect of alloying on catalytic activity in oxygen electro-reduction

• Published in: The Korean journal of chemical engineering Vol. 25; no. 3; pp. 431 - 436
• Main Authors: Joo, Ji Bong, Kim, You Jung, Kim, Wooyoung, Kim, Nam Dong, Kim, Pil, Kim, Younghun, Lee, Youn-Woo, Yi, Jongheop
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.05.2008; 한국화학공학회
• Subjects: Biotechnology; Catalysis; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Industrial Chemistry; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Materials Science; Reaction Engineering; 화학공학; Mesoporous Carbon; Electrocatalyst; PtCo; Oxygen Reduction; Fuel Cell
• ISSN: 0256-1115; 1975-7220
• DOI: 10.1007/s11814-008-0073-7

Mesoporous carbon (MC)-supported PtCo catalysts were prepared by a sodium borohydride (NaBH 4 ) reduction method. To increase the alloy degree of PtCo catalyst, the heat treatment was carried out at various temperatures (300–700°C). The heat-treated PtCo catalysts (PtCo/MC-x) had the higher degrees of Pt-Co alloy than that of as-synthesized PtCo catalyst (PtCo/MC). MC supported-PtCo catalyst (PtCo/MC-500) that was treated at 500°C, had the highest activity and lowest overpotential in oxygen electro-reduction (ORR) among the prepared PtCo catalysts. The high alloy degree and favorable chemical states of PtCo/MC-500 are believed to be responsible for the superior activity in oxygen electroreduction compared to the other PtCo catalysts.