Pt–Ni/C catalysts using different carbon supports for the cathode of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC)

20 wt.% PtNi/C catalysts were prepared using a chemical reduction method, with Vulcan XC-72 conducting furnace black and graphene as the carbon support, respectively, and compared to commercial BASF 20 wt.% Pt/C (using Vulcan XC-72 carbon as support). The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The electrochemical performance of the PtNi/C catalysts was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry, and by steady-state measurements. Electrochemical measurements indicate that the PtNi nanocatalysts exhibited improved activity in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on graphene compared with those on Vulcan XC-72 carbon, and graphene could potentially provide much higher durability than XC-72. This suggests that graphene is a more effective catalyst support than Vulcan XC-72 carbon.