Abstract
Pt-alloy electrocatalysts have been investigated for operation in both hydrogen and methanol-fed polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells with the aim of evaluating their performance and resistance to degradation. Nanosized PtCo catalysts with particle size of about 3 nm were prepared by using a sulphite complex route [1-4]. To achieve a high degree of alloying a carbothermal reduction was used. This caused the occurrence of a primitive cubic ordered structure. The surface properties were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and low-energy ion scattering spectroscopy (LE-ISS, 3He+ at 1kV). The formation of a Pt skin layer on the surface of the alloy electro-catalyst was studied. Oxide supports were evaluated as alternative to carbon black materials with the aim to increase the electrochemical stability. The structural and surface characteristics of the samples as well as the type of catalyst support appear to strongly influence the PtCo catalyst performance and degradation.
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