A Structural Model for Transient Pt Oxidation during Fuel Cell Start-up Using Electrochemical X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

Abstract

Potential spikes during the start-up (SU) and shutdown (SD) of fuel cells are a major cause of platinum (Pt) electrocatalyst degradation, which limits the lifetime of the device. The electrochemical oxidation of Pt that occurs on the cathode during the potential spikes plays a key role in this degradation process. However, the composition of the oxide species formed, as well as their role in catalyst dissolution remains unclear. In this study, we employ a special arrangement of XPS (X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy), in which the Pt electrocatalyst is covered by graphene, making the in situ examination of the Pt oxidation/reduction under wet conditions possible. We use this assembly to investigate oxidation state changes of Pt within fuel cell relevant potential window. We show that above 1.1 VRHE, a mixed Ptδ+/Pt2+/Pt4+ surface oxide is formed, with an average oxidation state that gradually increases as the potential is increased. By comparing a model based on the XPS data to the oxidation charge measured during potential spikes, we show that our description of Pt oxidation is also valid during the transient conditions of fuel cell SU/SD. This is due to the rapid Pt oxidation kinetics during the pulses. As a result of the irreversibility of Pt oxidation, some remnants of oxidized Pt remain at typical fuel cell operating potentials after a pulse. Figure 1