Graphitic mesoporous carbon as a durable fuel cell catalyst support

Highly stable graphitic mesoporous carbons (GMPCs) are synthesized by heat-treating polymer-templated mesoporous carbon (MPC) at 2600 °C. The electrochemical durability of GMPC as Pt catalyst support (Pt/GMPC) is compared with that of carbon black (Pt/XC-72). Comparisons are made using potentiostatic and cyclic voltammetric techniques on the respective specimens under conditions simulating the cathode environment of PEMFC (proton exchange membrane fuel cell). The results indicate that the Pt/GMPC is much more stable than Pt/XC-72, with 96% lower corrosion current. The Pt/GMPC also exhibits a greatly reduced loss of catalytic surface area: 14% for Pt/GMPC vs. 39% for Pt/XC-72.     

Low-cost and durable catalyst support for fuel cells: Graphite submicronparticles

Low-cost graphite submicronparticles (GSP) are employed as a possible catalyst support for polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Platinum nanoparticles are deposited on Vulcan XC-72 carbon black (XC-72), carbon nanotubes (CNT), and GSP via ethylene glycol (EG) reduction method. The morphologies and the crystallinity of Pt/XC-72, Pt/CNT, and Pt/GSP are characterized with X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope, which shows that Pt nanoparticles (∼3.5 nm) are uniformly dispersed on supports. Pt/GSP exhibits the highest activity towards oxygen-reduction reactions. The durability study indicates that Pt/GSP is 2-3 times durable than Pt/CNT and Pt/XC-72. The enhanced durability of Pt/GSP catalyst is attributed to the higher corrosion resistance of graphite submicronparticles, which results from higher graphitization degree of GSP support. Considering its low production cost, graphite submicronparticles are promising electrocatalyst support for fuel cells.     

Stable support based on highly graphitic carbon xerogel for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Highly graphitic carbon xerogel (GCX) is prepared by the modified sol-gel polymerization process using cobalt nitrate as the catalyst, followed by high temperature treatment at 1800 °C. The as-prepared GCX is explored as a stable support for Pt in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The results of N₂ sorption measurement and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) reveal that GCX has a better mesoporous structure and a preferably higher degree of graphitization, compared with the commercial XC-72 carbon black. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image indicates that Pt nanoparticles are well dispersed on GCX and exhibit relatively narrow size distribution. Accelerated aging test (AAT) based on potential cycling is used to investigate the durability of the as-prepared Pt/GCX in comparison with the commercial Pt/C. Electrochemical analysis demonstrates that the catalyst with GCX as a support exhibits an alleviated degradation rate of electrochemical active surface area (39% for Pt/GCX and 53% for Pt/C). The results of single cell durability tests indicate that the voltage loss of Pt/GCX at 100 mA cm⁻² is about 50% lower than that of Pt/C. GCX is expected to be a corrosion resistant electrocatalyst support.     

Electrocatalytic activity of Pt–Pd electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction in proton exchange membrane fuel cells: Effect of supports

Pt–Pd electrocatalysts supported on different types of support including domestic Hicon Black (HB), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and titania (TiO₂) were prepared by a combined approach of impregnation and seeding, and compared to that prepared using the commercial Vulcan XC-72 (C). Their oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activities in an acid electrolyte (0.5 M H₂SO₄) and in a single proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell were evaluated. The type of support was found to affect the Pt–Pd electrocatalyst morphology and ORR activity. The Pt–Pd/C electrocatalyst had the smallest Pt particle size, better catalyst dispersion and a higher Pt:Pd M ratio compared to that of other types of supported Pt–Pd electrocatalysts. However, both in the acid solution and in a single PEM fuel cell, the ORR activities of the Pt–Pd/HB and Pt–Pd/CNT electrocatalysts were comparable to that of the Pt–Pd/C one. The ORR pathway of all supported Pt–Pd electrocatalysts were close to the four-electron pathway.     

Preparation of a high performance Pt–Co/C electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction in PEM fuel cell via a combined process of impregnation and seeding

The preparation of a Pt–Co/C electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction in PEM fuel cells was achieved via a combined process of impregnation and seeding. The effects of initial pH of the precursor solution and Pt loading were all found to have a significant effect on both the electrocatalyst morphology and the cell performance when tested in a single PEM fuel cell. The optimum condition found for preparing the Pt–Co/C electrocatalyst was from an initial precursor solution pH of 2 at the metal loading of 23.6–30.3% (w/w). The Pt–Co/C electrocatalysts, formed under these optimal conditions, tested in a single PEM fuel cell with the carbon sub-layer, gave a cell performance of 772 mA/cm² or 460 mW/cm² at 0.6 V in a H₂/O₂ system. An electron pathway of oxygen reduction on the prepared Pt–Co/C electrocatalyst was also determined using a rotating disk electrode.     

The performance and degradation of Pt electrocatalysts on novel carbon carriers for PEMFC applications

Electrocatalyst stability is an important factor influencing the performance of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells and is essential in maintaining the cell output. The aim of this work was to elucidate factors which influence the stability of platinum supported onto graphitic nanofibres (Pt/GNFs) and to compare the performance of these materials with the commonly used Pt/Vulcan electrocatalyst. Platinum nanoparticles (average diameter of 6.9 nm) were supported on GNFs which were prepared by chemical vapour deposition over an unsupported nickel oxide (NiO) catalyst precursor. The performance of Pt/GNFs based electrodes were studied by cyclic voltammetry and a single-cell fuel cell test and were compared with a commercially available carbon nanostructure, Vulcan XC-72, which was also impregnated with Pt nanoparticles. Characterisation of the pre- and post-operation of the Pt/GNFs by XRD and TEM showed that structural changes of the Pt had occurred during testing. It was found that the average diameter of each grain and the degree of agglomeration among particles was increased, creating elongated clusters of Pt along the carbon fibre. Analysis of electrocatalyst post-operation also identified that the sulphate from the Nafion membrane was reacting with the Pt surface forming platinum sulphide (PtS). These phases were confirmed by the presence of low intensity, but sharp XRD peaks, attributed to a few large diameter particles (49 nm). These two factors resulted in current density dropping from 0.2 A/cm² to 0.1 A/cm² (at 0.70 V) over a 25 h test period.     

Effect of Pt-loaded carbon support nanostructure on oxygen reduction catalysis

This work demonstrates the impact of the nanostructure (pore size, wall thickness and wall crystallinity) of several carbon materials on their performance as oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyst supports in PEM fuel cell applications. Two different mesoporous carbons [a surfactant-templated ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) with 1.6 and 3.3 nm pores, and a silica colloid-imprinted carbon (CIC) with a 15 nm pore size], selected as being the most active in their class, were compared with microporous Vulcan Carbon. After loading with 20 and 40% Pt, both 3D transmission electron microscopy and electron tomography revealed that the Pt nanoparticles reside inside the majority of the pores of the OMC and CIC, but are located only on the outer surface of the VC particles. ORR performance studies on a rotating glassy carbon disc electrode in O₂-saturated 0.5 M H₂SO₄ showed that the Pt-loaded CIC outperforms both Pt-loaded OMC and VC. This is attributed to the higher electronic conductivity (due to the thicker and more crystalline walls, seen by both X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis) and facilitated mass transport in the larger pores of the CIC support.     

Effect of Pt: Pd atomic ratio in Pt–Pd/C electrocatalyst-coated membrane on the electrocatalytic activity of ORR in PEM fuel cells

The influence of Pt: Pd atomic ratios (1:2–1:8) on a carbon support upon its suitability as a cathode for a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell was evaluated at a constant membrane electrocatalyst loading of 0.15 mg/cm². The results clearly demonstrated that the different Pt: Pd atomic ratios had a significant effect on both the electrocatalyst activity and also on the performance in a H₂/O₂ fuel cell. Decreasing the Pt: Pd atomic ratio led to an increase in the particle size of the electrocatalyst but a decrease in the particle dispersion and electrochemical surface area (ESA). With respect to the performance in a PEM fuel cell, decreasing the Pt: Pd atomic ratio led to a decreased exchange current density (j₀), electrocatalytic activity and also mass activity (M_A), but to an increased total resistance (R) of the cell. The maximum activity of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the peak power (492 mW/cm²) were obtained with an electrocatalyst with a Pt: Pd atomic ratio of 1:2. Finally, the rotating disk electrode (RDE) analysis showed that the mechanism of oxygen reduction on the prepared Pt–Pd/C electrocatalyst involved a four-electron pathway with high oxygen permeability in the Nafion film.     

Preparation of Pt/NiO-C electrocatalyst and heat-treatment effect on its electrocatalytic performance for methanol oxidation

Pt catalyst supported on Vulcan XC-72R containing 5 wt% NiO (Pt/NiO–C) showed larger electrochemical active surface area and higher electrochemical activity for methanol oxidation than Pt catalyst supported on Vulcan XC-72R using polyol method without NiO addition. Prepared Pt/NiO–C electrocatalyst was heat-treated at four temperatures (200, 400, 600, and 800 °C) in flowing N₂. X-ray diffraction and temperature-programmed desorption results indicated that NiO was reduced to Ni in inert N₂ during heat-treatments at temperatures above or equal to 400 °C, while oxygen from NiO reacted with carbon support due to the catalytic effect of Pt. The reduced Ni formed an alloy with Pt, which, according to the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data, resulted in a shift to a lower binding energy of Pt 4f electrons. The Pt/NiO–C electrocatalyst heat-treated at 400 °C showed the best activity in methanol oxidation due to the change in Pt electronic structure by Ni and the minimal aggregation of Pt particles.     

Use of cellulose-based carbon aerogels as catalyst support for PEM fuel cell electrodes: Electrochemical characterization

New nanostructured carbons have been developed through pyrolysis of organic aerogels, based on supercritical drying of cellulose acetate gels. These cellulose acetate-based carbon aerogels (CA) are activated by CO₂ at 800 °C and impregnated by PtCl₆²⁻; the platinum salt is then chemically or electrochemically reduced. The resulting platinized carbon aerogels (Pt/CA) are characterized with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electrochemistry. The active area of platinum is estimated from hydrogen adsorption/desorption or CO-stripping voltammetry: it is possible to deposit platinum nanoparticles onto the cellulose acetate-based carbon aerogel surface in significant proportions. The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetic parameters of the Pt/CA materials, determined from quasi-steady-state voltammetry, are comparable with that of Pt/Vulcan XC72R. These cellulose acetate-based carbon aerogels are thus promising electrocatalyst support for PEM application.     

Heat-treated platinum nanoparticles embedded in nitrogen-doped ordered mesoporous carbons: Synthesis, characterization and their electrocatalytic properties toward methanol-tolerant oxygen reduction

Fabrication of N-doped ordered mesoporous carbons containing well-dispersed and methanol-tolerant Pt nanoparticles (Pt-NOMC) via an easy route is reported in this paper. These Pt-NOMC samples invoke the pyrolysis of co-fed carbon sources and Pt precursor with various carbonization temperatures (Pt-NOMC-T) in 3-[2-(2-Aminoethylamino)ethylamino]propyl-functionalized mesoporous silicas which were simultaneously used as N sources and hard templates. A series of different spectroscopic and analytical techniques was performed to characterize these Pt-NOMC-T catalysts. Combined the results from X-ray diffraction, N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherms, transmission electron microscopy and elemental analysis show that ca. 0.7-2.2 wt% of nitrogen was successfully doped on the high surface areas of ordered mesoporous carbon rods. Further studies by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that Pt-NOMC-T catalysts with different ratios of quaternary-N and pyridinic-N were observed. Among various Pt-NOMC-T samples, the Pt-NOMC-1073 sample, which may be due to moderate electrical conductivity of ordered mesoporous carbons, unique nanostructure between Pt nanoparticles and N-doped carbon supports, and presence of more pyridinic-N atoms, was found to possess superior electrocatalytic activity for methanol-tolerant oxygen reduction in comparison with the typical commercial electrocatalyst (Pt/XC-72).     

Carbon xerogels as Pt catalyst supports for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel-cell applications

Carbon xerogels prepared by the resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) sol-gel method with ambient-pressure drying were explored as Pt catalyst supports for polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Carbon xerogel samples without Pt catalyst (CX) were characterized by the N₂ sorption method (BET, BJH, others), and carbon xerogel samples with supported Pt catalyst (Pt/CX) were characterized by thermogravimetry (TGA), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron microscopy (SEM, TEM) and ex situ cyclic voltammetry for thin-film electrode samples supported on glassy carbon and studied in a sulfuric acid electrolyte. Experiments on Pt/CX were made in comparison with commercially obtained samples of Pt catalyst supported on a Vulcan XC-72R carbon black support (Pt/XC-72R). CX samples had high BET surface area with a relatively narrow pore size distribution with a peak pore size near 14 nm. Pt contents for both Pt/CX and Pt/XC-72R were near 20 wt % as determined by TGA. Pt catalyst particles on Pt/CX had a mean diameter near 3.3 nm, slightly larger than for Pt/XC-72R which was near 2.8 nm. Electrochemically active surface areas (ESA) for Pt as determined by ex situ CV measurements of H adsorption/desorption were similar for Pt/XC-72R and Pt/CX but those from CO stripping were slightly higher for Pt/XC-72R than for Pt/CX. Membrane-electrode assemblies (MEAs) were fabricated from both Pt/CX and Pt/XC-72R on Nafion 117 membranes using the decal transfer method, and MEA characteristics and single-cell performance were evaluated via in situ cyclic voltammetry, polarization curve, and current-interrupt and high-frequency impedance methods. In situ CV yielded ESA values for Pt/XC-72R MEAs that were similar to those obtained by ex situ CV in sulfuric acid, but those for Pt/CX MEAs were smaller (by 13-17%), suggesting that access of Nafion electrolyte to Pt particles in Pt/CX electrodes is diminished relative to that for Pt/XC-72R electrodes. Polarization curve analysis at low current density (0.9 V cell voltage) reveals slightly higher intrinsic catalyst activity for the Pt/CX catalyst which may reflect the fact that Pt particle size in these catalysts is slightly higher. Cell performance at higher current densities is slightly lower for Pt/CX than the Pt/XC-72R sample, however after normalization for Pt loading, performance is slightly higher for Pt/CX, particularly in H₂/O₂ and at lower cell temperatures (50 °C). This latter finding may reflect a possible lower mass-transfer resistance in the Pt/CX sample.     

Pt/carbon nanofibers electrocatalysts for fuel cells: Effect of the support oxidizing treatment

Different Pt-based electrocatalysts supported on carbon nanofibers and carbon black (Vulcan XC-72R) have been prepared using a polymer-mediated synthesis. The electrocatalysts have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and cyclic voltammetry. The effect of carbon nanofibers treatment with HNO₃ solution on Pt particle size and electroactive area has been analyzed. Highly dispersed Pt with homogeneous particle size and an electroactive area around of 100 m² g⁻¹ is obtained in raw carbon nanofibers. The oxidizing treatment of the carbon nanofibers produces agglomeration of the platinum nanoparticles and an electroactive area of 53 m² g⁻¹. Durability studies indicate a decrease of 14% in the electroactive area after 90 h at 1.2 V in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ for platinum supported on raw carbon nanofibers and Vulcan XC-72R. The electrocatalyst supported on oxidized carbon nanofibers are stable under similar conditions.     

Performance comparison of long and short-side chain perfluorosulfonic membranes for high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell operation

A new Aquivion™ E79-03S short-side chain perfluorosulfonic membrane with a thickness of 30 μm (dry form) and an equivalent weight (EW) of 790 g/equiv recently developed by Solvay-Solexis for high-temperature operation was tested in a pressurised (3 bar abs.) polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) single cell at a temperature of 130 °C. For comparison, a standard Nafion™ membrane (EW 1100 g/equiv) of similar thickness (50 μm) was investigated under similar operating conditions. Both membranes were tested for high temperature operation in conjunction with an in-house prepared carbon supported Pt electrocatalyst. The electrocatalyst consisted of nanosized Pt particles (particle size ∼2 nm) dispersed on a high surface area carbon black. The electrochemical tests showed better performance for the Aquivion™ membrane as compared to Nafion™ with promising properties for high temperature PEM fuel cell applications. Beside the higher open circuit voltage and lower ohmic constraints, a higher electrocatalytic activity was observed at high temperature for the electrocatalyst-Aquivion™ ionomer interface indicating a better catalyst utilization.     

Evaluation of carbon-supported Pt and Pd nanoparticles for the hydrogen evolution reaction in PEM water electrolysers

Carbon-supported Pt and Pd nanoparticles (CSNs) were synthesized and electrochemically characterized in view of potential application in proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysers. Electroactive metallic nanoparticles were obtained by chemical reduction of precursor salts adsorbed to the surface of Vulcan XC-72 carbon carrier, using ethylene glycol as initial reductant and with final addition of formaldehyde. CSNs were then coated over the surface of electron-conducting working electrodes using an alcoholic solution of perfluorinated polymer. Their electrocatalytic activities with regard to the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) were measured in sulfuric acid solution using cyclic voltammetry, and in a PEM cell during water electrolysis. Results obtained show that palladium can be advantageously used as an alternative electrocatalyst to platinum for the HER in PEM water electrolysers. Developed electrocatalysts could also be used in PEM fuel cells.     

Alcohol reduction-mediated preparation of a nano-scale Pt/C electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction in PEM fuel cells

A nano-scale Pt/C electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction in PEM fuel cells was prepared by alcohol-mediated reduction of the PtCl₆^2? ion complex on the carbon Vulcan XC-72. The effects of various parameters, including the types of precursor and reducing agent and their concentrations, the initial solution pH and the reaction time, were explored. The preliminary results indicated that the electrocatalyst prepared using ammonium hexachloroplatinate ((NH₄)₂PtCl₆) as the Pt²⁺ source provided a similar catalytic efficiency as that prepared from hexachloroplatinic acid (H₂PtCl₆). The nano-scale Pt/C electrocatalyst prepared using methanol (CH₃OH) as a reducing agent provided the smallest sized platinum particles with a uniform distribution in the nanometer range, a good particle dispersion and a high Pt content compared with that prepared using ethanol (C₂H₅OH) or 2-propanol (C₃H₇OH). The electrocatalyst prepared in an acidic solution yielded smaller sized platinum particles and a higher Pt content than that prepared in a basic solution. In addition, the concentration of the reducing agent and reaction time slightly affected both the Pt particle size and the Pt yield of the obtained electrocatalyst. Under apparent optimal conditions, the nano-scale Pt/C electrocatalyst had an electrochemical surface area of ～39.7 m²/g, which was ～1.9-fold higher than that of the commercial one. The performance of the electrocatalyst was also tested in a single PEM fuel cell in a H₂/O₂ atmosphere where compared to a commercial electrode a lower activation loss but higher ohmic loss was observed.     

Sea urchin-like mesoporous carbon material grown with carbon nanotubes as a cathode catalyst support for fuel cells

A sea urchin-like carbon (UC) material with high surface area (416 m² g⁻¹), adequate electrical conductivity (59.6 S cm⁻¹) and good chemical stability was prepared by growing carbon nanotubes onto mesoporous carbon hollow spheres. A uniform dispersion of Pt nanoparticles was then anchored on the UC, where the Pt nanoparticles were prepared using benzylamine as the stabilizer. For this Pt loaded carbon, cyclic voltammogram measurements showed an exceptionally high electrochemically active surface area (EAS) (114.8 m² g⁻¹) compared to the commonly used commercial E-TEK catalyst (65.2 m² g⁻¹). The durability test demonstrates that the carbon used as a support exhibited minor loss in EAS of Pt. Compared to the E-TEK (20 wt%) cathode catalyst, this Pt loaded UC catalyst has greatly enhanced catalytic activity toward the oxygen reduction reaction, less cathode flooding and considerably improved performance, resulting in an enhancement of ca. 37% in power density compared with that of E-TEK. Based on the results obtained, the UC is an excellent support for Pt nanoparticles used as cathode catalysts in proton exchange membrane fuel cells.     

The influence of the electrochemical stressing (potential step and potential-static holding) on the degradation of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell electrocatalysts

The understanding of the degradation mechanisms of electrocatalysts is very important for developing durable electrocatalysts for polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. The degradation of Pt/C electrocatalysts under potential-static holding conditions (at 1.2 V and 1.4 V vs. RHE) and potential step conditions with the upper potential of 1.4 V for 150 s and lower potential limits (0.85 V and 0.60 V) for 30 s in each period [denoted as Pstep(1.4V_150s–0.85V_30s) and Pstep(1.4V_150s–0.60V_30s), respectively] were investigated. The electrocatalysts and support were characterized with electrochemical voltammetry, transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Pt/C degrades much faster under Pstep conditions than that under potential-static holding conditions. Pt/C degrades under the Pstep(1.4V_150s–0.85V_30s) condition mainly through the coalescence process of Pt nanoparticles due to the corrosion of carbon support, which is similar to that under the conditions of 1.2 V- and 1.4 V-potential-static holding; however, Pt/C degrades mainly through the dissolution/loss and dissolution/redeposition process if stressed under Pstep(1.4V_150s–0.60V_30s). The difference in the degradation mechanisms is attributed to the chemical states of Pt nanoparticles: Pt dissolution can be alleviated by the protective oxide layer under the Pstep(1.4V_150s–0.85V_30s) condition and the potential-static holding conditions. These findings are very important for understanding PEM fuel cell electrode degradation and are also useful for developing fast test protocol for screening durable catalyst support materials.     

Natural aloe vera derived Pt supported N-doped porous carbon: A highly durable cathode catalyst of PEM fuel cell

Evolution of highly durable electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is the most critical barrier in commercializing polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). In this work, Pt deposited N-doped mesoporous carbon derived from Aloe Vera is developed as an efficient and robust electro catalyst for ORR. Due to its high mesoporous nature, the aloe vera derived carbon (AVC) play a very vital role in supporting Pt nanoparticles (NPs) with N-doping. After doping N into AVC, more defects are created which facilitates uniform distribution of Pt NPs leading to more active sites towards ORR. Pt/N-AVC shows excellent ORR activity when compared with commercial Pt/C and showing a half wave potential (E_1/2–0.87 V Vs. RHE) and reduction potential (E_red ~ 0.72 V Vs. RHE) towards ORR. Even after 30,000 potential cycles, Pt/N-AVC shows in its E_1/2 only ~5 mV negative shift and lesser agglomeration of Pt NPs is seen in the catalyst. In membrane electrode assembly (MEA) fabrication, Pt/N-AVC as a cathode catalyst in a PEMFC fixture and performance were studied. The Pt/N-AVC shows good performance, which proves the potential application of this naturally available bio derived carbon, which serves as an excellent high durable support material in PEMFC. All these features show that the Pt/N-AVC is the most stable, efficient and suitable candidate for ORR catalyst.     

Preparation and characterization of nanoporous carbon-supported platinum as anode electrocatalyst for direct borohydride fuel cell

The nanoporous carbon (NPC) is synthesized by carbonization of metal–organic framework-5 (MOF-5, [Zn₄O(bdc)₃], bdc = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate) with furfuryl alcohol (FA) as carbon source and used as the carrier of the anode catalyst for the direct borohydride–hydrogen peroxide fuel cell (DBHFC). Then the NPC-supported Pt anode catalyst (Pt/NPC) is firstly prepared by a modified NaBH₄ reduction method. The obtained Pt/NPC catalyst is characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), cyclic voltammetry, chronopotentiometry, chronoamperometry and fuel cell test. The results show that the Pt/NPC is made up of the spherical Pt nanoparticles which disperse uniformly on the surface of the NPC with average size 2.38 nm, and exhibits 36.38% higher current density for directly borohydride oxidation than the Vulcan XC-72 carbon supported Pt (Pt/XC-72). Besides, the DBHFC using the Pt/NPC as anode electrocatalyst shows the maximum power density as high as 54.34 mW cm⁻² at 25 °C.