Abstract
To realize the large-scale application of fuel cells, it is still a great challenge to improve the performance and reduce the cost of cathode catalysts towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). In this work, carbon-supported ordered Pt3Mn intermetallic catalysts were prepared by thermal annealing electrospun polyacrylonitrile nanofibers containing Platinum(II) acetylacetonate/ Manganese(III) acetylacetonate. Compared with its counterparts, the ordered Pt3Mn intermetallic obtained at 950 °C exhibits a more positive half-potential and higher kinetic current density during the ORR process. Benefiting from their defined stoichiometry and crystal structure, the Mn atoms in Pt3Mn intermetallic can modulate well the geometric and electronic structure of surface Pt atoms, endowing Pt3Mn catalyst with an enhanced ORR catalytic activity. Moreover, it also has a better catalytic stability and methanol tolerance than commercial Pt/C catalyst. Our study provides a new strategy to fabricate a highly active and durable Pt3Mn intermetallic electrocatalyst towards ORR.
Highlights
Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) plays a crucial role in energy storage and conversion devices such as fuel cells and metal–air batteries
Metallic platinum is considered the most efficient ORR electrocatalyst. It still suffers from sluggish reaction kinetics in ORR
To address the above issues, great efforts have been devoted to reducing the consumption of expensive Pt
Summary
Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) plays a crucial role in energy storage and conversion devices such as fuel cells and metal–air batteries. Metallic platinum is considered the most efficient ORR electrocatalyst. It still suffers from sluggish reaction kinetics in ORR. Its high cost and low abundance makes it impossible to meet large-scale commercial requirements [1]. To address the above issues, great efforts have been devoted to reducing the consumption of expensive Pt. By finely modulating surface atom arrangement, Pt nanocrystals enclosed by high-index facets display a higher catalytic activity for the equivalent Pt. Covering a thin Pt shell on other metal surfaces greatly improves the specific activity of the Pt catalyst [2]. Downsizing Pt nanoparticles to clusters and even to single-atom level can maximize Pt utilization efficiency by realizing most Pt atoms at the catalytic interfaces [3]
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