Surface-modified carbons as platinum catalyst support for PEM fuel cells

Abstract Carbon forms, such as activated carbon, carbon black, carbon nanofibers and nanotubes, can be used as support materials for precious metal catalysts used in fuel cell electrodes. This work first compares the ability of functionalized high surface area graphitic (carbon nanofibers) and amorphous (activated carbon) carbons to homogeneously support finely divided platinum catalyst particles, then contrasts the performance of platinum/carbon composite electrodes within a hydrogen fuel cell. Functionalization by concentrated acid treatment results in the creation of various oxygen carrying functionalities on the otherwise inert carbon surfaces. The degree of surface functionalization is found to be a function of the functionalization treatment strength. Chemical reduction of the platinum precursor complex using milder reducing agents in the temperature range of 75–85 °C, and using ethylene glycol at 140 °C yields the smallest platinum particle sizes observed in this study, a result confirmed by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy measurements. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements confirm the existence of platinum in primarily its metallic state on the functionalized carbon surfaces.