Effect of Ni proportion on the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells using PtNi/C electrocatalysts

PtNi/C electrocatalysts were synthesised by borohydride method on functionalised carbon support. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and both cyclic and linear voltammetry were employed to characterise the composition, crystalline structure, morphology and catalytic properties of the PtNi/C electrocatalysts. Different Ni proportions in the PtNi/C electrocatalysts were evaluated in the cathode or anode in a H-2/air proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) by polarisation curves. PtNi particles uniformly dispersed with different proportions of metals obtained. The increase of Ni proportion in the electrocatalyst led to materials with higher mass activity values toward the oxygen reduction reaction and a greater electrochemical-active surface area. PtNi/C electrocatalysts in the cathode presented higher mass activity values at high potential in the PEMFC. The best PEMFC performance was obtained with PtNi 13 at.% Ni (cathode) and Pt/C (anode) relative to the Pt/C (cathode and anode) with identical Pt loadings. PtNi/C electrocatalysts in PEMFC may be used as an alternative to Pt/C electrocatalyst.