Fabrication and Characterization of Pt-Co/C Catalyst for Fuel Cell Electrode

Abstract

One of the most important components in fuel cell is electrode which hold as center for electrochemical reaction on converting fuel and oxygen into electricity. Special attention hence must be given to this component in order to achieve high performance especially on its catalytic activity and durability. To obtain such performance, some aspect must be take into consideration i.e. the content and type of catalyst as well as preparation method. Impregnation-reduction and electrodeposition method were evaluated on fabrication of fuel cell electrode from Pt-Co/C catalyst using H2PtCl6.6H2O and CoCl2.6H2O in carbon Vulcan XC-72 substrate. Transition metal other than platinum as supporting catalyst was used not only to enhance catalytic activity but also to reduced cost and avoid poisoning which platinum suffers easily. Characterization of catalyst using Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) confirmed that catalyst made from Pt-Co/C using ratio Pt : Co = 20:80 has good catalytic activity for fuel cell application. XRD diffractogram showed result of Pt reduction at 2-theta = 39.76° (111) and 46.23° (200) while the present of Co is not clear at 2-theta = 44.51° and 51.85°. Co was not detected due to it became an alloy with Pt and relatively small concentration (20%). Pt-Co/C catalyst prepared by impregnation-reduction and electrodeposition methods can be used as catalyst support in fuel cell electrode.