Abstract
We suggest a simple, inexpensive approach for enhancing the durability of automotive proton exchange membrane fuel cells by selective promotion of the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) and suppression of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the anode in startup/shutdown events. Dodecanethiol forms a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on the surface of Pt particles, thus decreasing the number of Pt ensemble sites. Interestingly, by controlling the dodecanethiol concentration during SAM formation, we can precisely tune the number of ensemble sites to an optimum such that it is sufficient for the HOR but insufficient for the ORR. Thus, a Pt surface with an SAM of dodecanethiol clearly shows HOR-selective electrocatalysis. We demonstrate clear HOR selectivity in unit cell tests with the actual membrane electrode assembly as well as in an electrochemical three-electrode setup with a thin film rotating disk electrode configuration.
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