How Effective Is Graphitization of Biomasses for the Carbon Stability of Pt/C ORR Catalysts?

Catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in PEM fuel cells are commonly constituted of Pt-based nanoparticles and a carbon support originating from fossil resources. In order to employ a more sustainable carbon support, activated sawdust was chosen in this study. This was firstly steam-activated at 750 °C and then thermally treated at elevated temperatures up to 2800 °C and reducing conditions at 1100 °C. Various physical characterization methods were applied to systematically relate treatment parameters to surface and structural properties of the carbon material. Deposition of small Pt nanoparticles on the biochar-based supports yielded in ORR active catalysts which were analyzed by thin-film rotating disc electrode measurements. The activity and stability towards the ORR of these novel catalysts was compared to a commercial raw oil-based Pt/C and the influence of support modification on the ORR performance was discussed.