Enhanced Stability and Electrochemical Performance of Carbon-Coated Ti3+ Self-Doped TiO2-Reduced Graphene Oxide Hollow Nanostructure-Supported Pt-Catalyzed Fuel Cell Electrodes

Chang Hyun Sung, Ramireddy Boppella, Jai Wook Yoo, Dong Hee Lim, Byung Moo Moon, Dong Ha Kim, Jin Young Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Stable alternative catalyst supports to replace conventional carbon-based materials in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are being explored to achieve dramatic improvements in the performance and durability of fuel cells. Herein, conductive Ti3+ self-doped and carbon-coated TiO2-reduced graphene oxide (rGO) hollow nanosphere-supported Pt nanoparticles (Pt/rGO/TiO2) are investigated as cathode electrocatalysts for PEMFCs. Importantly, the rGO/TiO2 hollow nanospheres display excellent electrochemical stability under high potential cycling (1.2–1.7 V) compared with conventional carbon black (CB) support materials that normally induce electrochemical corrosion during fuel cell operation. The Pt/rGO/TiO2 is tested to establish its catalytic activity and stability using accelerated durability testing that mimics the conditions and degradation modes encountered during long-term fuel cell operation. The Pt/rGO/TiO2 cathode catalyst demonstrates comparable catalytic activity toward oxygen reduction and exhibits much higher stability than the Pt/CB one at high potentials in terms of minimal loss of the Pt electrochemical surface area. More importantly, Pt/rGO/TiO2 displays a negligible voltage drop over long-term cycling during practical fuel cell operation. The high stability of the Pt/rGO/TiO2 electrocatalyst synthesized in this investigation offers a new approach to improve the reliability and durability of PEMFC cathode catalysts.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1700564
JournalAdvanced Materials Interfaces
Volume4
Issue number21
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017 Nov 9

Keywords

  • PEMFCs
  • catalyst support
  • enhanced stability
  • hollow structures
  • rGO/TiO

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Enhanced Stability and Electrochemical Performance of Carbon-Coated Ti3+ Self-Doped TiO2-Reduced Graphene Oxide Hollow Nanostructure-Supported Pt-Catalyzed Fuel Cell Electrodes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this