Microstructure effects on the electrochemical corrosion of carbon materials and carbon-supported Pt catalysts

The electrochemical corrosion behavior of a set of porous carbonaceous materials of interest as catalyst supports for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells was examined in 2 M H2SO4 at 80 °C at constant electrode potential of 1.2 V vs. RHE. Correlations have been observed between the specific rates of corrosion of carbon materials and carbon-supported Pt catalysts on the one hand and their substructural characteristics derived from X-ray diffraction analysis on the other hand. Carbon supports of the Sibunit family and catalytic filamentous carbons possess lower specific (i.e., surface area normalized) corrosion currents compared to conventional furnace black Vulcan XC-72 and better stabilize Pt nanoparticles.