Influence of Loading on the Activity and Stability of Heat-Treated Carbon-Supported Cobalt Phthalocyanine Electrocatalysts in Solid Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

G. Lalande, G. Tamizhmani, R. Côté, L. Dianard-Bailey, M. L. Trudeau, R. Schulz, D. Guay, J. P. Dodelet

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

51 Scopus citations

Abstract

The influence of loading on the activity and stability of heat-treated carbon-supported cobalt phthalocyanine electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction was studied. The Co loading on the carbon support was varied from 0 to 8 weight percent (w/o), while heat-treatment temperatures ranging from 500 to 1100°C were studied. There is an optimum value of the Co loading on the carbon support (about 3.5 w/o) over which the catalytic activity of the Co on carbon catalyst decreases. This trend is observed in both half-cell (rotating disk electrode measurements) and H2/O2 fuel cell measurements. The optimum value of the Co loading on the carbon support is independent of the heat-treatment temperature. An explanation is proposed for this observation. We have also performed short-term (15 to 18 h) life tests with the 3.5 w/o Co on carbon-sup-port materials heat-treated at various temperatures. It is shown that the current density lost after 18 h of operation is a function of the heat-treatment temperature being lower the higher the temperature. The observed increase in the stability of the material with the heat-treatment temperature is best explained by considering the protective role played by the graphitic-like layer surrounding the Co metal particles.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1162-1168
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of the Electrochemical Society
Volume142
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1995
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
  • Electrochemistry
  • Materials Chemistry

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