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Improving the durability of Pt/C catalyst in PEM fuel cell by doping vanadium phosphate oxygen

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Abstract

This study investigated the addition of vanadium phosphate [VO(H2PO4)2] to platinum/carbon (Pt/C) to prepare Pt/C–VO(H2PO4)2 catalyst. Pt/C electrocatalyst was treated with vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) and phosphoric acid concentration to produce VO(H2PO4)2. This combination improved the durability of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs); nonetheless, the addition of VO(H2PO4)2 did not negatively affect the homogenization and electrochemical activity of the Pt/C catalyst. Moreover, the presence of VO(H2PO4)2 was confirmed by the X-ray diffraction pattern and the energy spectrum. The ideal VO(H2PO4)2 ratio (6 %) was determined, and the VO(H2PO4)2 was imported to reduce oxidation in the weak acid environment of the PEMFCs cathode catalyst. When the fuel cell operates at high potential, VO2+ is oxidized to VO2 +. This preferential oxidation protects carbon carriers against oxidation. When the fuel cell returns to normal working potential, the VO2 + is restored to VO2+. VO2+ is a reserve for the protection of carbon carriers at the subsequent instance of high potential. The oxide between the Pt particles coated the surface of the carbon carriers, thus limiting the aggregation and loss of Pt. These two functions enhance the durability of fuel cell electrodes.

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Acknowledgments

This research was funded by the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program, Grant No. 2012CB215500) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 21406024).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Liaoning Province Key Laboratory for New Energy Battery, Dalian Jiaotong University, 794 Huanghe Road, Dalian, 116028, China

    Yang Li, Hongfeng Xu, Hong Zhao, Lu Lu & Xin Sun

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  1. Yang Li
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  2. Hongfeng Xu
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  3. Hong Zhao
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  4. Lu Lu
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  5. Xin Sun
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Correspondence to Hongfeng Xu.

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Li, Y., Xu, H., Zhao, H. et al. Improving the durability of Pt/C catalyst in PEM fuel cell by doping vanadium phosphate oxygen. J Appl Electrochem 46, 183–189 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-015-0902-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-015-0902-4

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