In this paper, reduced graphene oxide supported platinum (Pt/rGO) was prepared through a facile microwave-assisted polyol synthesis method. The effect of pH value in the solution during the synthesis on the physicochemical and electrochemical characteristics of the Pt/rGO was investigated. The pH value significantly affected the morphology and chemical state of the Pt nanoparticle due to different hydrolytic components of PtCl6 2− ions. As a result, the highest activity toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was obtained as 1.372 mA cm−2 at 0.9 V from the Pt/rGO prepared from pH 12 which presented 2.63 and 2.09 times higher than the Pt/rGOs prepared at pH 10 and 8, respectively. It is clearly demonstrated that the pH value in the solution is critical for the electrocatalytic performance toward the ORR.

Keywords: Proton exchange membrane fuel cell; Oxygen reduction reaction; Graphene supported platinum; Microwave-assisted polyol synthesis.