C2F6 plasma treatment of a carbon support for a PEM fuel cell electrocatalyst

To lower Pt loadings for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), electrocatalytic activity per unit mass of Pt should be improved. In this paper, we report that carbon black treated using C2F6 radio frequency plasmas is a good electrocatalyst support for the membrane electrode assembly of a PEMFC. The hydrophobicity of the catalyst support and the affected electronic state of the supported Pt particles, both of which are due to the introduced CF3 group, are thought to enhance the catalytic activity.