Effect of Chemical Treatment on Performance Behaviors of PtRu/GNFs Catalysts for DMFCs

직접 메탄올 연료전지용 PtRu/GNF 성능에 대한 화학적 처리의 영향

In the present study, the effect of chemical treatment on graphite nanofibers (GNFs) supports with various concentrated nitric acids was investigated for methanol oxidation. To optimize the electrocatalytic activity, PtRu catalysts were deposited on GNF supports by impregnation method. The surface and structural properties of the GNF supports were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), element analyzer (EA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The morphology of the catalysts was observed by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The electrocatalytic activity of PtRu/GNF catalysts was investigated by cyclic voltammetry measurement. As a result, the oxygen functional groups were introduced on the GNF supports and were gradually increased with increasing of concentrated nitric acid, causing the smaller particle size and higher loading level. And the electrocatalytic activity of the catalysts for methanol oxidation was gradually improved. Consequently, it was found that chemical treatments could influence on surface properties of the carbon supports, resulting in enhancing the electrocatalytic activity of the catalysts for DMFCs.