Graphene supported platinum nanoparticles as anode electrocatalyst for direct borohydride fuel cell

The graphene supported Pt nanoparticles are prepared by ethylene glycol reduction method. The obtained Pt/graphene (Pt/G) nanocomposites are characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). TEM images show that the spherical Pt nanoparticles with sizes of 3.1 nm disperse uniformly on the surface of the graphene, which is consistent with the XRD date of 2.97 nm. The Pt/G nanocomposites show electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) of 62.7 m2/g. It has been found by electrochemical measurements (i.e., cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry) that the Pt/G nanocomposites exhibit good electrocatalytic activity and stability toward borohydride oxidation. Besides, the Pt/G nanocomposites are used as anode electrocatalyst in a direct borohydride fuel cell at 298 K, and the maximum power density is 42 mW/cm2, which is apparently higher than Vulcan XC-72R supported Pt (Pt/C) nanoparticles (34 mW/cm2).