Characterization of Pt Catalysts for PEM Fuel Cells

Carbon-supported platinum (Pt\C) was combined with Ru metal or the transition metal oxide NiO, or both NiO and Co₃O₄ to obtain binary and ternary catalyst mixtures respectively. The electrochemical performance of these electrocatalysts for the hydrogen oxidation reaction was investigated using cyclic voltammetry in an in-house three electrode half cell. The physical characterization of the electrode catalysts was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis and Brunner-Emmet-Teller adsorption analysis. It was found that it did not matter if NiO was used on its own as an additive or in conjunction with Co₃O₄ in a mixture; the electrical activity improved notably when compared to pure Pt or Pt (40%)\C used in the absence of NiO. The overall metal loading was 0.3 mg.cm⁻² for both.