Improved Pt dispersion and catalytic performance by modified carbon support with low surface oxygen content and more mesopores

The development of efficient and stable catalysts is the key to promote the application of fuel cells. The modified carbon support can improve the performance of platinum (Pt)-based catalyst by improving the Pt dispersion. The effect of surface oxygen content and pore structure on modified carbon support are studied to explain their respective role in Pt dispersion. With three designed pretreatment routes, it is found that surface oxygen content on carbon black (CB) negatively correlates with the Pt dispersion, while newly-generated 2–4 nm mesopores play a positive role. The modified CBs with low surface oxygen content and more 2–4 nm mesopores can drive Pt nanoparticles to reach smaller diameters and narrower diameter regions. The catalysts supported by the CBs modified in solid-phase at 700 °C (Pt/CB-S-700) have best performance (336 mA mgPt−1, 14 % degradation after 30k cycles). In the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), the maximum power density of MEA-Pt/CB-S-700 is 0.907W/cm2, which is higher than that of MEA-Pt/C (0.875 W/cm2). After accelerated degradation test (ADT), it also shows good durability. This optimization method of carbon support can effectively improve the performance of catalysts, which provides an effective way for the practical application of catalysts in fuel cell.