J. Kim, Jiyun Heo, S. Hwang
Sep 1, 2011
Citations
0
Influential Citations
22
Citations
Journal
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
Abstract
Abstract Pt 3 Co x /C electrocatalysts for use as cathodes in proton exchange membrane fuel cells are fabricated using various stabilizers to control the different reduction speeds between Pt and Co ions. Four different types of stabilizers—sodium acetate, oleylamine, tetraoctylammonium bromide (TOAB), and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)—differing in molecular structures and ionic states are tested. Primarily, Pt 3 Co x /C alloy nanoparticles are synthesized with 0.6 x 3 Co x /C catalysts. In particular, CTAB-mediated catalysts exhibit the best activity, which is about 2-times higher mass activity than commercial Pt/C catalyst. The higher mass activity is believed to result from not only the alloying effects with small atomic size Co but also better dispersion and smaller particle size after heat treatment at relatively low temperature.