Highly dispersed platinum-carbon aerogel catalyst for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

Platinum loaded carbon aerogel catalysts for application in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells have been synthesized from the alcoholic sol-gel reaction of phloroglucinol with furfural using propylene oxide as a reducing agent of platinum salt, followed by supercritical drying with carbon dioxide. Subsequent carbonization of the platinum-organic aerogels under a reducing gas flow produced platinum-carbon aerogels. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analyses of the platinum-carbon aerogel catalysts indicate the formation of well-dispersed platinum nanoparticles having sizes of about 3 nm. Surface characterization of the platinum-carbon aerogel by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals that 60% of the platinum is present in its metallic state. Electrochemical characterization by hydrogen adsorption/desorption cyclic voltammetry and CO stripping voltammetry indicates that the electrochemical active surface areas of the platinum-carbon aerogel are comparable to those of commercial catalysts. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.