Reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and RGO modified by ozone (RGO-O) and fluorine (RGO-F) were synthesized. Pt nanoparticles were deposited on these materials and also on Vulcan XC-72 using the polyol method. The structural and electrochemical properties of the obtained catalysts were investigated in a model glass three-electrode electrochemical cell and in a laboratory PEM fuel cell. Among the RGO-based catalysts, the highest electrochemically active surface area (EASA) was obtained for the oxidized RGO supported catalyst. The EASA of the fluorine-modified RGO-supported catalyst was half as big. In the PEM fuel cell the performance of RGO-based catalysts did not exceed the activity of Vulcan XC-72-based catalysts. However, the addition of an RGO-O-based catalyst to Vulcan XC-72-based catalyst (in contrast to the RGO-F-based catalyst) allowed us to increase the catalyst layer activity and PEM fuel cell performance. Possible reasons for such an effect are discussed.

A detailed study of the structure, morphology and electrochemical properties of Pt/C and Pt/x-SnO₂/C catalysts synthesized using a polyol method has been provided. A series of catalysts supported on the SnO₂-modified carbon was synthesized and studied by various methods including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electrochemical methods, and fuel cell testing. The SnO₂ content varies from 5 to 40 wt %. The TEM images, XRD and XPS analysis suggested the Pt-SnO₂ hetero-clusters formation. The SnO₂ content of ca. 10% ensures an optimal catalytic layer structure and morphology providing uniform distribution of Pt-SnO₂ clusters over the carbon support surface. Pt/10wt %-SnO₂/C catalyst demonstrates increased activity and durability toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in course of accelerated stress testing due to the high stability of SnO₂ and its interaction with Pt. The polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell current–voltage performance of the Pt/10wt %-SnO₂/C is comparable with those of Pt/C, however, higher durability is expected.

Pt/C and Pt/SnO_x/C catalysts were synthesized using the polyol method. Their structure, morphology and chemical composition were studied using a scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer, transition electron microscope and X-ray photoelectron spectroscope. Electrochemical measurements were based on the results of rotating disk electrode (RDE) experiments applied to ethanol electrooxidation. The quick evaluation of catalyst activity, electrochemical behavior, and an average number of transferred electrons were made using the RDE technique. The usage of SnO_x (through the carbon support modification) in a binary system together with Pt causes a significant increase of the catalyst activity in ethanol oxidation reaction and the utilization of ethanol.

The global issue for proton exchange membrane fuel cell market development is a reduction in the device cost through an increase in efficiency of the oxygen reduction reaction occurring at the cathode and an extension of the service life of the electrochemical device. Losses in the fuel cell performance are due to various degradation mechanisms in the catalytic layers taking place under conditions of high electric potential, temperature, and humidity. This review is devoted to recent advances in the field of increasing the efficiency and durability of electrocatalysts and other electrode materials by introducing structured carbon components into their composition. The main synthesis methods, physicochemical and electrochemical properties of materials, and performance of devices on their basis are presented. The main correlations between the composition and properties of structured carbon electrode materials, which can provide successful solutions to the highlighted issues, are revealed.