Hollow core mesoporous shell carbon supported Pt electrocatalysts with high Pt loading for PEMFCs

Abstract The aim of this study is to synthesize mesoporous carbon supports and prepare their corresponding electrocatalysts with microwave irradiation method and also increasing the Pt loading over the carbon support by using some additional reducing agents. Pt loadings on hollow core mesoporous shell (HCMS) and commercial Vulcan XC72 carbon supports up to 34% and 44%, respectively, were achieved via polyol process with microwave irradiation method. When hydrazine or sodium borohydride was used in addition to ethylene glycol, Pt loading over the HCMS carbon support was increased. Characterization of the prepared electrocatalysts was performed by ex situ (BET, XRD, SEM, TGA and Cyclic Voltammetry) and in situ (PEM fuel cell tests) analysis. PEM fuel cell performance tests showed that 44% Pt/Vulcan XC72 and 28% Pt/HCMS electrocatalysts exhibited improved fuel cell performances. The results revealed that as the Pt loading increased PEM fuel cell performance was also increased.