Evaluation of performance and durability of platinum–iron–copper with L10 ordered face-centered tetragonal structure as cathode catalysts in polymer electrolyte fuel cells

Abstract

We evaluated the performance and durability of platinum–iron–copper with an L10 ordered face-centered tetragonal structure (fct–PtFeCu) as cathode catalysts of membrane-electrode assemblies (MEAs) in polymer electrolyte fuel cells. The exchange current density per unit active surface area of Pt in fct–PtFeCu/C, measured in the MEA, was sufficiently higher than that of commercial Pt/C. The durability of the MEAs was evaluated by three accelerated degradation tests: (1) a load cycle durability test, which mainly accelerates the degradation of catalysts; (2) an open-circuit voltage (OCV) hold test, which mainly degrades membranes; and (3) a hybrid of the load cycle test and OCV hold test. Despite the possible negative effects of dissolved transition metals on the durability of MEAs, fct–PtFeCu/C showed higher durability than commercial Pt/C and at least comparable durability with in-house Pt/C in the OCV hold test, and showed high durability in the hybrid test up to 200 h. These results suggest that the presence of Fe and Cu did not negatively affect the durability of the MEA with fct–PtFeCu/C, and rather the other factor, carbon support, affected more in retaining the durability.