Enhance the durability of the oxygen reduction reaction catalyst through the synergy of improved graphitization and nitrogen doping of carbon carrier

The energy crisis has highlighted the need for low-cost, highly active, and durable catalysts for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs). Accordingly, we have developed a highly durable composite carbon carrier material, ECP600@NC, through pyrolyzing polyaniline coated on commercial carbon black ECP600, and supported the Pt nanoparticles (NPs) on ECP600@NC to prepare catalyst Pt/ECP600@NC. Compared with the catalyst Pt/ECP600, the electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) of Pt/ECP600@NC (94.1 m2·gPt−1) increased by 15% and the mass activity (MA) of Pt/ECP600@NC (343.9 mA·mgPt−1) increased by 142%. After 30,000 cycles carbon and Pt attenuation tests, the ECSA retention rate of Pt/ECP600@NC increased by 40% compared with Pt/ECP600@NC, and the MA retention rate of Pt/ECP600@NC increased by 15%. It is the synergistic effect of higher graphitization degree and nitrogen doping of the carbon carrier that improves the performance and durability of Pt/ECP600@NC. This work provides a promising method to optimize the catalysts for PEMFCs.