Role of nitrogenated carbon in tuning Pt-CeOx based anode catalysts for higher performance of hydrogen-powered fuel cells

Illustration of the GDL surface covered by carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) tuned by applying CNx interlayer, followed by magnetron sputter deposition of Pt-CeOx layer. It results in higher fuel cell performance. [Display omitted] •Gas diffusion layer enhanced by application of nitrogenated carbon layer....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Applied surface science Vol. 515; p. 146054
Main Authors:	Nováková, J., Dubau, M., Fuka, Š., Duchoň, T., Johánek, V., Fiala, R., Veltruská, K., Potin, V., Matolín, V., Matolínová, I.
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Elsevier B.V 15-06-2020
Subjects:	Electron microscopy Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy Fuel cell Nitrogenated carbon Pt-CeOx catalyst X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy Nitrogenated carbon Pt-CeOx catalyst Electron microscopy Fuel cell X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
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Summary:	Illustration of the GDL surface covered by carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) tuned by applying CNx interlayer, followed by magnetron sputter deposition of Pt-CeOx layer. It results in higher fuel cell performance. [Display omitted] •Gas diffusion layer enhanced by application of nitrogenated carbon layer.•Platinum-doped cerium oxide layer prepared by magnetron sputtering.•Important role of nitrogen incorporated in interlayer in porous structure formation.•Higher performance of fuel cell by enhancement of active surface area of catalyst.•Better corrosion resistance of interlayers under start-up conditions of fuel cells. Due to promising catalytic properties of cerium oxide, such based materials have been recognized as a suitable candidate for catalysts at the anode side of fuel cells. In order to achieve the largest active surface area, a commercially available gas diffusion layer used as Pt-CeOx catalyst support has been enhanced by the application of a CNx interlayer. Herein, the surface morphology modification, into the form of individual needles, observed by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy, is presented. Furthermore, spectroscopy techniques, namely X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy, and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy reveal important role of nitrogen incorporated in the CNx interlayer that enables formation of very porous surface structures. In addition, it is demonstrated that tuning of catalyst film morphology provides a viable strategy towards higher performance in the PEMFC tests, complemented by better corrosion resistance of CNx interlayers under the start-up conditions of fuel cells.
ISSN:	0169-4332 1873-5584
DOI:	10.1016/j.apsusc.2020.146054