Enhanced activity and durability of Pt nanoparticles supported on reduced graphene oxide for oxygen reduction catalysts of proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are mainly used as a power source of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Also, their catalytic activity and durability of oxygen reduction reaction are important because they operate at high voltage and strongly acidic conditions. In this research, we studied the characteristics of the Pt nanoparticles (NPs) supported on the graphene oxide (GO), partially reduced graphene oxide (GO-r), and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) to investigate the enhancement of the activity and durability of oxygen reduction catalysts for PEMFCs. Pt catalysts supported on carbonaceous materials were synthesized through a facile polyol method, and the characteristics of the synthesized catalysts were analyzed with transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, linear sweep voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The outcomes demonstrated that the rGO was superior to the carbon black support in oxygen reduction activity and long-term durability. Here, the reduced concentration of oxygen related functional groups on the graphene support was the key factor to enhance the oxygen reduction properties and long-term durability of the Pt/rGO catalyst.