Investigation of Reduced Graphene Oxide with F-Doped SnO2 as Catalyst Support in Fuel Cells

Degradation of commonly used platinum on carbon black results into performance losses of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). A nanocomposite of fluorine-doped SnO2 (FTO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is used as Pt support and studied on electrochemical stability by potential cycling between 0.05–1.47 VRHE. Highly dispersed Pt with anchoring at FTO–rGO interfaces is observed by use of high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). Stripping voltammetry shows weaker CO binding on Pt/FTO–rGO than on Pt/C, indicating higher CO tolerances. During potential cycling, the catalyst shows a loss of electrochemical active surface and a reduced activity for oxygen reduction, whereas the support exhibits unchanged amounts of hydroquinone/quinone functionalities and stable double layer capacitance. Additionally, identical location TEM shows unchanged FTO particles on rGO surface, demonstrating electrochemical stability of FTO–rGO substrate. Thus, this composite material meets the stability criteria for catalyst support in PEM fuel cells.