Impact of the Various Catalysts (Pt, Pt-Ru) Deposited onto Carbon Support to the Slow Oxygen Reduction Reaction Kinetics

Micro- and mesoporous carbide derived carbons synthesized from molybdenum and tungsten carbide were used as supports for platinum and Pt-Ru alloy catalysts. The scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and low temperature N-2 adsorption experiments were carried out to characterize the structure of prepared materials. The kinetics of oxygen reduction was studied using cyclic voltammetry and rotating disc electrode in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution. The synthesized materials exhibited high specific surface area. The platinum or Pt-Ru alloy deposited onto the surface of carbon in the form of nanoparticles or agglomerates of nanoparticles. All catalysts showed high activity towards oxygen reduction.