Graphite Nanofibers as catalyst support for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells at 80ºC

By a ball-milling method, graphite nanofibers (GNF) were prepared from used carbon paper in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. All the results conducted at 80 t-an operational temperature of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The specific surface area of GNF was 229 m²/g, and mesopore volume was 0.146 crnVg. The morphology of Pt/GNF and Pt/C catalysts was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The electrochemical stability was measured for Vulcan XC-72, GNF, Pt/C catalyst, Pt/GNF catalyst by the constant potential oxidation. The corrosion current for Pt/C catalyst was 2 times of that for Pt/GNF catalyst. The Pt/GNF catalyst was observed to be significantly more stable during the continuous cyclic voltammetry in comparison with Pt/C catalyst. The conclusion could be obtained that GNF was more resistant to electrochemical oxidation than Vulcan XC-72 under the condition in the report.