Ultralow Pt loading on CVD graphene for acid electrolytes and PEM fuel cells.

Abstract Continuous-phase, porous graphene was produced by CVD process and tested for suitability as catalyst and catalyst support for polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. N-doping of CVD graphene was carried by NH 3 gas flown over graphene for a given time. Ultralow Pt was sputter deposited onto porous, continuous phase N-doped graphene. Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity by Rotating Disc Electrode (RDE) in 0,1 M HClO 4 electrolyte and PEM fuel cell performance were measured. N-doping and thicker Pt sputtering increases reduction current in RDE measurements. Sputter deposition of 1 nm and 10 nm Pt on CVD graphene (2.1 and 21.45 μgPt/cm2 loading) has shown orders of magnitude increase in current compare to only-graphene samples. In fuel cell testing, sputter deposited Pt layer of 10 nm has provided 2.5 A/mgPt at 0.5 V polarization while 1 nm samples shows 15 A/mgPt performance at the same voltage. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Continuous phase CVD graphene utilized as PEM fuel cell electrode. • PEM fuel cell operation with N-dopped graphene without any metal catalyst gives current. • Sputter deposition of 1 nm Pt has shown orders of magnitude increase in fuel cell current. • 10 nm Pt deposition has provided 2,5 A/mgPt versus 1 nm gives 15 A/mgPt in fuel cell operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]