Preparation and Characterization of Platinum on Activated Carbon Support as the Electrode in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

Abstract

Activated carbon (AC) is an inexpensive and environment friendly material which is widely used as the electrode in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). However, it suffers from a few drawbacks including low electrical conductivity and mechanical strength. To overcome this problem, Polytetrafluoroethylene was used as a binder to improve the mechanical strength of the samples together with the hydraulic press and platinum was used to enhance the conductivity of the sample. In this work, the electrode was successfully prepared using different concentration of PTFE solution (10%, 20% and 30%). From Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy analysis, the conductivity of the sample has increased significantly from 10%PTFE to 30%PTFE, while it also confirmed that there was a significant effect of adding platinum which helps to improve the electrical conductivity of the samples. Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis has illustrated that as the concentration of PTFE is increases, the activated carbon tends to bind closely and strongly with each other to give a more compact electrode. Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis clearly shown that the distribution of PTFE and platinum are very uniform on the surface of the samples. FTIR analysis showed the presence of materials used in the electrode. The results suggested that Pt/AC with 30% PTFE was the best electrode which gave the highest conductivity of 1.98×10−5 -1cm-1.