CVD grown graphene as catalyst for acid electrolytes

Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) process is utilized to grow and study behavior of porous, continuous-phase 3D graphene structures in acid electrolyte. Graphene layers that are produced by CVD process are tested for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity by Rotating Disc Electrode (RDE) measurements in 0,1 M HClO₄ electrolyte. Raman spectroscopy measurements confirms multi-layer porous structure formation for more than 1 min grow on nickel foam. Multi-layer porous graphene has provided μA level current. When NH₃ is used for nitrogen (N)-doping, magnitude of the reduction current increases, but still low for practical usage of graphene in acid electrolytes as catalyst. N-doping is confirmed with XPS measurements showing all possible types of N-doping phases with 900 °C being better than 1000 °C doping. CVD grown continuous-phase graphene, by itself or N-doped, cannot provide enough electrocatalytic activity to be used in 0,1 M HClO₄ acid electrolyte or polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells for practical applications. Pt layer of 10 nm has been sputtered on to graphene (21.45 μg/cm² Pt loading) and has provided orders of magnitude increase in oxygen reduction current compare to bare graphene layers.