Platinum on boron doped graphene as cathode electrocatalyst for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Boron doped graphene (BG) has been prepared using a facile technique and platinum (Pt) nanoparticles has been deposited on BG using different methods like sodium borohydride, polyol and modified polyol reduction method and used as oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalyst in hydrogen fuel cell. The identification of crystal phases through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the dispersion of the electrocatalyst by the Transmission Electronic Microscopy (TEM) have been studied. The electrochemically active surface area has been investigated by Cyclic Voltammetry (CV). The ORR activity has been evaluated by polarization studies using fuel cell fixture. Stability test also conducted in fuel cell mode for 50 h. This study revealed the superior ORR activity and stability of platinum nanoparticles decorated BG, which is synthesized by modified polyol reduction technique. Hence it can be considered as the alternative electrocatalyst for replacing contemporary electrocatalysts.