The catalytic activity of sputtered cobalt linked with graphite on carbon paper in PEMFC

Abstract

A Cobalt (Co)-based electrocatalysts were fabricated by sputter deposition on graphene layered carbon paper (G/CP) and heat treatment in an ammonia (NH3) environment for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). A sample of 0.4 mg scattered graphene on CP showed highest current density among the samples having 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 mg amount of graphene layer. However, it could not be inferred from the study whether 0.4mg was the optimal scattered of graphene in the Co/N/G/CP to facilitate high current density. As a result, further investigation needs to be performed to study the morphology and catalytic activity of Co/N/G/CP with different loading of graphene. Although the current density obtained for Co-based electrocatalyst was not as high as that for a Pt based electrocatalyst, the present study suggests that Co/N/G/CP could be a suitable electrocatalyst to introduce non-precious metal electrodes in the PEMFC. Copyright © 2013 Delta Energy and Environment.