Improving the activity and stability of a Pt/C electrocatalyst for direct methanol fuel cells

Ketjen Black (KB) as an electrocatalyst support was treated at 900 °C in the presence of cobalt and nickel nitrates, and characterized by X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and nitrogen adsorption measurement. The treated KB (T-KB) exhibits better graphitization and a larger mesopore volume than the untreated material. A Pt electrocatalyst supported on T-KB was prepared by a modified polyol process. Cyclic voltammetry and single cell tests show that the Pt/T-KB electrocatalyst exhibits better electrochemical activity and stability than a Pt/KB electrocatalyst.