Abstract:
The surfactant has an important role on the properties of PtCo/C catalyst for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. This research studied the effect of surfactants consisting of cationic surfactant (CTAB), anionic surfactant (SDS), and nonionic surfactant (Triton X-100) to 20%wt PtCo/C catalyst, on oxygen reduction reaction in the proton exchange membrane fuel cell. From cyclic voltammetry analysis in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution with N2 saturated, the results showed that catalyst containing CTAB gave higher electrochemical active surface area (ESA) than other surfactants. Calcined PtCo/C catalysts with surfactants at 600°C has increased ESA and decreased particle size when compared with noncalcined catalyst since the surfactant was eliminated and the active site was revealed. The stability was tested in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution with O2 saturated, the results showed that the CTAB has the highest stability probably due to the high electrochemical active surface area. The ORR activity was tested in acid electrolyte and a single PEM fuel cell under H2/O2 at 60 °C and atmospheric pressure. It was found that the PtCo/C with 0.001 M of Triton X-100 exhibited the better of ORR activity in acid electrolyte and PEM fuel cell.