Graphene nanoplatelets-carbon black hybrids as an efficient catalyst support for Pt nanoparticles for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2019.02.137

In this work, hybrid support consisting of carbon black (CB) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) isdesigned and prepared with different percentages for loading Pt nanoparticles. For this purpose, GNPsand CB in various ratios are homogeneously mixed and then Pt nanoparticles are obtained by usingsupercritical carbon dioxide deposition (scCO2) technique. According to our approach, hybridization ofGNPs with CB not only can prevent aggregation of these carbon materials, but also reach full utilization ofsynergistic effect between them. The outstanding characteristics of these hybrids and hybrid supportedPt catalysts have been investigated by using BET, XRD, TGA, TEM, SEM and contact angle techniques. Inaddition, cycling voltammetry and PEM fuel cell measurements also have been performed. All theseresults have been discussed based on the change in the pore structure, surface area, morphology of theGNPs due to the addition of various amounts CB.