Abstract:

Anodes of proton exchange membrane fuel cell with the platinum-hydrogen tungsten bronze(HxWO3) as the composite catalysts were prepared by electrochemical reduction on carbon cloth. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, SEM, EIS and single-cell polarization tests. The results showed that the order of electrochemical reduction had a major impact on the morphology and dispersion of the catalysts. The composite catalyst of HxWO3/Pt exhibited synergistic catalytic effect and increased the catalytic activity for hydrogen oxidation. The HxWO3/Pt catalyst showed the highest catalytic activity for hydrogen oxidation, while the Pt-HxWO3 catalyst showed the lowest catalytic activity. Because of the coexistence of two electrolytes, less hydrogen tungsten bronze catalyst was deposited on the electrode and platinum agglomerated obviously on the Pt-HxWO3 electrodes, leading to a decrease of the catalytic activity.

Key words: electrochemical reduction, hydrogen tungsten bronze, anode, proton exchange membrane fuel cell