PEDOT/C Composites used as a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Catalyst Support: Role of Carbon Amount

Abstract

Carbon‐based support materials are mostly used in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs); however, they often suffer from degradation under the operating conditions. In this context, conducting polymers and their composites stand out as a good alternative support material thanks to their chemical stability, high electrical conductivity, and higher oxidation‐resistant properties, which fulfills the requirements for possible utilization as electrocatalyst in PEMFCs. This study reports the preparation of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)/carbon (PEDOT/C) composite‐supported Pt nanoparticles for PEMFC electrodes. First, PEDOT/C composites were prepared using different carbon amounts by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization of EDOT monomer on carbon particles. Then, Pt nanoparticles (about 20 % loading) were obtained by using a microwave irradiation technique as it is fast, inexpensive, energy and time saving, and ecofriendly. The successful synthesis was confirmed by XRD, TEM, and thermogravimetric analysis investigations. The surface area and pore structure of the PEDOT/C supports was also investigated by using the BET technique. The ex situ and in situ electrochemical analyses were performed by using cyclic voltammetry and PEMFC performance tests. The obtained results for the fuel cell open the way for the use of PEDOT/C composite support materials as electrocatalysts for fuel cells.

Electrocatalytical Application of Platinum Nanoparticles Supported on Reduced Graphene Oxide in PEM Fuel Cell: Effect of Reducing Agents of Dimethlyformamide or Hydrazine Hydrate on the Properties

“…in which n e is the transferred electron number, F is the Faraday's constant (96485 C mol −1 ), C o is the concentration of dissolved O 2 (1.18 x 10 −6 mol cm −3 ), D is the diffusion coefficient of O 2 in 0.1 M HCIO 4 (1.9 x 10 −5 cm 2 s −1 ), ν is the kinematic viscosity of the electrolyte solution (9.87 x 10 −3 cm 2 s −1 ) and, ω is the angular frequency of rotation (ω= 2πf 60 −1 , f is the RDE rotation rate in rpm) [30]. By plotting J −1 vs. w −1/2 at different rotation speeds, a linear relationship is obtained (inset‐plot in Figure 6(c‐d)).…”

“…Pt loading over both support materials was targeted. The details of the synthesis procedure were described in supplemental material (S1) and our previous studies [30–32].…”

Improving the performance of proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers with low Ir-loaded anodes by adding PEDOT:PSS as electrically conductive binder

“…First developed as an antistatic material, 8 PEDOT:PSS has become one of the most popular conductive polymers thanks to its high electrical conductivity, simple processability and high transmission of visible light. 9 Due to these properties, it is most commonly used in organic photovoltaics, [10][11][12][13] OLEDs [14][15][16] and exible electronics, 17,18 and was studied in PEM fuel cells [19][20][21] and supercapacitors. [22][23][24] However, its application as conductive polymer binder in PEM water electrolysis has not yet been reported.…”