New Facile Continuous Microwave Pipeline Technology for the Preparation of Highly Stable and Active Carbon‐Supported Platinum Catalyst

Abstract

Abstract Nowadays, the depletion of non‐renewable energy sources has become a prominent issue, and environmental concerns such as air pollution stemming from vehicle emissions have reached a critical stage. In this manuscript, we introduce a novel approach for the fabrication of Pt/C catalysts on a large scale, utilizing a simple, rapid, and continuous pipeline microwave synthesis method. Moreover, we incorporate a heating treatment process in an N2−H2 (5 % H2) environment to enhance the activity and durability of the catalyst. The synthesized Pt/C‐400 catalyst demonstrates an impressive electrochemical active surface area of 103.2 m2/gpt and a mass‐specific activity of 315 mA/mg at a half‐wave potential of 0.9 V. Following 30000 cycles of Pt attenuation testing and 30000 cycles of carrier attenuation testing, the Pt/C‐400 catalyst exhibits a remarkable retention rate of 75 %. Furthermore, based on single‐cell testing, the Pt/C‐400 catalyst achieves a voltage of 0.606 V at a current density of 2000 mA/cm2, surpassing the performance of other Pt/C catalysts discussed in this article. This study presents an efficient and practical method for large‐scale synthesis of high‐performance and durable catalysts. The findings hold significant implications for the commercialization of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells and contribute to addressing the pressing need for sustainable energy solutions.

Keywords

• Heat treatment
• Mass production
• Oxygen reduction reaction
• Membrane electrode assembly
• Fuel cell