Role of nitrogenated carbon in tuning Pt-CeOx based anode catalysts for higher performance of hydrogen-powered fuel cells

Due to promising catalytic properties of cerium oxide, such based materials have been recognized as a suitable candidate for catalysts at the anode side of fuel cells. In order to achieve the largest active surface area, a commercially available gas diffusion layer used as Pt-CeOx catalyst support has been enhanced by the application of a CNx interlayer. Herein, the surface morphology modification, into the form of individual needles, observed by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy, is presented. Furthermore, spectroscopy techniques, namely X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy, and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy reveal important role of nitrogen incorporated in the CNx interlayer that enables formation of very porous surface structures. In addition, it is demonstrated that tuning of catalyst film morphology provides a viable strategy towards higher performance in the PEMFC tests, complemented by better corrosion resistance of CNx interlayers under the start-up conditions of fuel cells.