Nanodispersed platinum on chemically treated nanostructured carbonized polyaniline as a new PEMFC catalysts

Abstract

The surface of nitrogen containing carbonized nanostructured polyaniline (Carb-nanoPANI) was modified by a chemical treatment with NaOH, H 2O 2 and HNO 3 at room temperature. The modification was controlled by FTIR and Raman spectroscopies. The modified materials were used as an unconventional support of nanodispersed platinum electrocatalysts, built in further in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The surface treatment influenced the mean platinum particle diameter, and consequently, the performance of PEMFC too. In comparison to a conventional nanodispersed Pt/C catalyst in the same cell, these electrocatalysts provided up to 34% higher power density. Apart of surface modification, a particular chemical composition of Carb-nanoPANI support itself was suggested to be responsible for the observed PEMFC performance improvement. © 2012 by ESG.