The electrocatalytic comparison between Pt/graphene and Pt/Vulcan XC-۷۲R composites in direct methanol fuel cell

In this work, the composite of graphene nanosheets decorated by Pt nanoparticles have beenprepared via reduction of graphite oxide (RGO) and H۲PtCl۶ in one pot. The structure, morphology, andelectrochemical performances of the obtained Pt/RGO catalysts were studied and compared with areference Pt/carbon black Vulcan XC-۷۲ (C) sample, as the commercial type of catalyst. The compositeof graphene nanosheets and Pt nanoparticles have been prepared via reduction of graphite oxide andH۲PtCl۶ in one pot, which was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanningelectron microscopy (FESEM). The morphology and structure of both composites were indicated byfield emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The electrocatalytic activities of both catalystswere investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) in methanol aqueous solution. Electrochemicalexperiments show that Pt/graphene nanocomposite has superior catalytic performance toward methanoloxidation as compared to Vulcan XC-۷۲R in direct methanol fuel cell.

Keywords:

Graphene , Vulcan XC-۷۲R , Platinum , Catalyst , Methanol oxidation , Fuel cell