Effect of carbon nanofiber microstructure on oxygen reduction activity of supported palladium electrocatalyst

Palladium electrocatalysts supported on carbon nanofibers (CNFs) with controlled microstructure or on activated carbon (AC) are prepared, and the effects of the carbon materials microstructure on the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) properties of the electrocatalysts are investigated. The physical properties of the CNFs with different microstructure, i.e. platelet CNF (p-CNF) and fish-bone CNF (f-CNF), are characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscope and N2 physisorption. From cyclic voltammetric studies, it is found that Pd/p-CNF and Pd/f-CNF are more active than Pd/AC. The effects of CNF microstructure on the ORR activities of Pd/f-CNF and Pd/p-CNF are discussed. The p-CNF has a higher ratio of edge atoms to basal atoms, and therefore Pd/p-CNF has more positive ORR onset reduction potential and ORR peak potential than Pd/f-CNF. The supports also have influences on the reaction process. The ORR is surface reaction controlled when Pd/AC is used, while it becomes diffusion control when Pd/f-CNF is used.