Graphitic carbon nitride-graphene hybrid nanostructure as a catalyst support for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells
File(s)ECST_NM5.doc (6.14 MB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Graphitic carbon nitrides form a class of semiconducting graphene-like polymeric materials with visible light absorption and photocatalytic properties. In addition to high nitrogen content and tunable structure, it was shown that graphitic carbon nitride based on polytrazine imide (PTI) sheets exhibit excellent anti-corrosion ability in ex-situ fuel cell environments. However, in bulk form, their low surface area and poor conductivity limits their applications in fuel cells. In this work, PTI was exfoliated to form an ink made from single to few-layer nanosheets. The ink was then processed to produce 3D networks of carbon nitride nanosheets/reduced graphene oxide (PTI-rGO) hybrid aerogel with large interconnecting pores for fast mass transport of reactants and high surface area. The material was decorated with platinum nanoparticles, and then investigated for its electrochemical properties and applications as a catalyst support for polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Initial results show that the cathode catalytic activity of Pt/rGO-PTI hybrid is significantly improved in comparison to Pt/PTI or Pt/rGO. In addition, the in-situ fuel cell performance of Pt/PTI as anode catalyst is comparable to commercial Pt/C especially at low densities, making it attractive as an alternative, durable anode catalyst support material to conventional carbon black.
Date Issued
2016-09-23
Date Acceptance
2016-09-01
Citation
ECS Transactions, 2016, 75 (14), pp.885-897
ISSN
1938-5862
Publisher
Electrochemical Society
Start Page
885
End Page
897
Journal / Book Title
ECS Transactions
Volume
75
Issue
14
Copyright Statement
© 2016 ECS - The Electrochemical Society
Sponsor
Commission of the European Communities
Commission of the European Communities
Grant Number
Grant Agreement No. 604391
696656
Publication Status
Published