Microstructure effects on the electrochemical corrosion of carbon materials and carbon-supported Pt catalysts

The electrochemical corrosion behavior of a set of porous carbonaceous materials of interest as catalyst supports for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells was examined in 2 M H2SO4 at 80 C at constant electrode potential of 1 2V vs RHE Correlations have been observed between the specific rates of corrosion of carbon materials and carbon-supported Pt catalysts on the one hand and their substructural characteristics derived from X-ray diffraction analysis on the other hand Carbon supports of the Sibunit family and catalytic filamentous carbons possess lower specific (i e surface area normalized) corrosion currents compared to conventional fui nace black Vulcan XC 72 and better stabilize Pt nanoparticles (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved