Magnetron sputtering a high-performance catalyst for ultra-low-Pt loading PEMFCs

Abstract Magnetron sputtering deposition (MSD) is a physical method that has been extensively study for PEMFC applications because it is simple, flexible, inexpensive, high productive and allowing control of catalyst particle size. In this study, we first combine the advantages of carbon-supported Pt-type structures and MSD to prepare a carbon-sphere-supported Pt catalyst. Compare to conventional chemical methods, the Pt/C catalyst prepare by MSD has some characteristics such as easy to prepare, high Pt utilization, and non-polluting. The results demonstrate that the electrochemical surface area (ECSA) of the sputtered-Pt/C is increased by 34% compare with the commercial-Pt/C with the same Pt loading. Moreover, the testing results for the single cell indicate that the rated power density of the sputtered-Pt/C catalyst is 26.7% higher than that of the commercial-Pt/C catalyst under H2/air test conditions. We are optimistic that this sputtered-Pt/C catalyst could have broad applications in commercial fuel cells.