Microwave application as an alternative method to increase the efficiency of PtC catalyst in PEMFCs

Abstract

This study aims to develop a high-performance Pt/C catalyst for the cathode and anode parts of a modified Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell in nitrogen and argon gases at different microwave radiation powers. The pure and modified forms of the synthesized Pt/C catalysts were characterised using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The XRD results revealed that the crystal structure of the modified Pt/C catalyst was perfect and that the particle size of the catalytic material grew significantly as a consequence of the modification. Furthermore, the durability of PEM fuel cell electrocatalysts was investigated using the cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique. The experimental results indicated that microwave radiation had a significant effect on the particle size of the Pt/C catalyst. Additionally, the modified Pt/C catalyst exhibited a decreased activation potential loss and increased the cathode and anode power density values by 34% and 47%, respectively, compared to the Pt/C catalyst.