Fuel cell performance of Pt electrocatalysts supported on carbon nanocoils

Abstract

Carbon nanocoils (CNCs) synthesized via the catalytic graphitization of resorcinol formaldehyde gel were investigated as an electrocatalyst support in PEMFC anodes.Their textural and physical properties make them a highly efficient catalyst support for anodic hydrogen oxidation in low temperature PEMFC. When the oxidation of adsorbed CO was studied, a shift of 140 mV is observed compared with the commercial catalysts (Pt/C E-TEK) which is expected to be a key parameter in the fuel cell (PEM) performance. Furthermore, the behaviour of the electrocatalysts prepared was compared with that of a Pt/C E-TEK in a 5 cm2 PEM fuel cell. At room temperature, results showed a 4% increase in current density at 0.6 V in comparison with the Pt/C E-TEK electrocatalysts.