Carbon supported platinum nanowires (Pt NWs/C)

acting as cathode catalyst for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC)

were synthesized by reducing H2PtCl6 with HCOOH at room temperature without assistance of template. The catalyst microstructure and morphology were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The Pt NWs/C had an average cross-sectional diameter of (4.0±0.2) nm and a length of 15-25 nm. Good electrocatalytic performance and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of the as-prepared catalyst was characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV). Two membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) were fabricated

with Pt NWs/C and Pt/C as cathode catalyst respectively

and tested for comparison. The maximum power densities of Pt NWs/C and Pt/C

respectively were 705.6 mW·cm-2 and 674.4 mW·cm-2. Afterwards

an 18-cell stack with Pt NWs/C as cathode catalyst and a 20-cell stack with Pt/C as cathode catalyst were built for testing. Maximum power densities were 409.2 mW·cm-2 and 702.7 mW·cm-2

and coefficients of variation (Cv) of individual cell were 16.1% and 4.36% at the maximum power density

respectively. Data analysis indicated that Pt NWs/C for the cathode in a MEA exhibited good catalytic activity at a scale-up level

however

as compared with the commercial Pt/C catalyst

CV performance and uniformity should be improved. This work not only sheds light on the scale-up possibility of Pt NWs/C catalyst

but also provides a possibility for further durability test before its application in a fuel cell vehicle.