Correlation of different carbon support and catalytic activity for Pt based catalyst

Carbon supported platinum (Pt/C) constitute commonly used electrocatalysts in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. For the catalyst preparation, Vulcan XC-72R is the most widely used as carbon support. Pt/C catalysts with different carbon supports are prepared by impregnation-reduction method using NaBH 4 as reductant. The carbon black, carbon aerogel and MWNts were used as Pt support. The electrochemical characteristics and the catalytic activity for oxygen reduction of the Pt based catalysts were evaluated and compared with commercial Pt/C from ETEK. In addition EDAX measurements were done to evaluate the final content of Pt:C, Pt: CA and Pt: MWNTS.