Abstract: The effect of graphitic carbon on the stability of Pt/C catalysts for proton exchange membrane fuel cells was investigated. Vulcan XC-72 carbon black was graphitized at different temperatures, and the catalyst having a platinum loading of 20% was prepared by HCHO reduction-impregnation using the graphitic carbon as the support. Graphitic carbons were characterized byX-raydiffraction and nitrogen adsorption-desorption methods. The catalysts were characterized by an accelerated aging test and TG analyses. The results showed that the graphitization process started at1500℃, and the degree of graphitization increased with temperature, but the specific surface area of the carbons decreased gradually. The catalysts using the graphitic carbons as the support showed better electrochemical stability.

Key words: platinum, carbon, graphitization, electrochemistry surface area, stability, proton exchange membrane fuel cell