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Impact of the Pt catalyst on the oxygen electroreduction reaction kinetics on various carbon supports

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Abstract

Micro- and mesoporous carbide-derived carbons synthesized from molybdenum and tungsten carbides were used as porous supports for a platinum catalyst. Synthesized materials were compared with commercial Vulcan XC72R conducting furnace black. The scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and low-temperature N2 adsorption methods were applied to characterize the structure of catalysts prepared. The kinetics of oxygen electroreduction in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution was studied using cyclic voltammetry and rotating disk electrode methods. The synthesized carbide-derived carbons exhibited high specific surface area and narrow pore size distribution. The platinum catalyst was deposited onto the surface of a carbon support in the form of nanoparticles or agglomerates of nanoparticles. Comparison of carbide-derived carbons and Vulcan XC72R as a support showed that the catalysts prepared using carbide-derived carbons are more active towards oxygen electroreduction. It was shown that the structure of the carbon support has a great influence on the activity of the catalyst towards oxygen electroreduction.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Estonian Target Research Project SF0180002s08, Estonian Energy Technology Program Project SLOKT 10209T, Estonian Centre of Excellence Project 3.2.0101-11-0030, and ESF grant ETF8267. Authors thank J. Eskusson, I. Tallo, H. Kurig, J. Aruväli, and Prof. K. Kirsimägi for performing SEM-EDX, XRD, and BET measurements and analysis of the data. Prof. K. Kontturi from Aalto University is thanked for the help with HRTEM studies.

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  1. Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, 14a Ravila Str, 50411, Tartu, Estonia

    S. Sepp, E. Härk, P. Valk, K. Vaarmets, J. Nerut, R. Jäger & E. Lust

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  1. S. Sepp
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  2. E. Härk
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  3. P. Valk
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Correspondence to E. Lust.

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Sepp, S., Härk, E., Valk, P. et al. Impact of the Pt catalyst on the oxygen electroreduction reaction kinetics on various carbon supports. J Solid State Electrochem 18, 1223–1229 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-013-2180-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-013-2180-6

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