Abstract

Dealloyed PtCo3 and PtCu3 catalysts supported on high surface area carbon (HSC), which were synthesized under different conditions, were tested as cathode electrodes in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The dealloyed PtCu3/HSC gave higher initial oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetic activity but much worse durability in a voltage cycling test. Detailed characterization was undertaken to develop insights toward the development of catalysts with both high activity and good durability. In situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) analysis showed that dealloyed PtCu3/HSC exhibited stronger bulk Pt–Pt compressive strains and higher bulk d-band vacancies (attributed in part to a greater ligand effect induced by Pt–Cu bonding) than dealloyed PtCo3/HSC, factors which can be expected to correlate with the higher initial activity of dealloyed PtCu3/HSC. Annular dark field (ADF) imaging and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) mapping demonstrated that a strong majority of metal nanoparticles in both deallo...

Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call