Development of anode electrocatalysts for direct formic acid fuel cells

In this work, for the development of platinum-based nanostructured catalysts for use in formic acid fuel cells, a hybrid substrate of reduced graphene oxide with nanocarbon synthesized and platinum nanoparticles reduced by sodium borohydride on the surface of this hybrid substrate and the catalyst powder of rGO50%-nC50%/Pt was synthesized. Physicochemical studies indicate good dispersion with high density of Pt nanoparticles on the surface of the hybrid substrate. Electrochemical studies also showed that the rGO50%-nC50%/Pt hybrid catalyst has better electro-catalytic behavior for the oxidation of formic acid in an acidic environment compared to the rGO/Pt and nC/Pt catalysts.