Structure-Activity Relationship of Dealloyed PtCo3 and PtCu3 Nanoparticle Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in PEMFC

Abstract

We report a synthesis and study on carbon supported PtCo3 and PtCu3 alloy nanoparticle catalyst for ORR. The chemical composition of alloys was carried out with EDS. The electrochemical measurements were conducted using a thin-film RDE method. Recently, we have demonstrated that dealloyed PtCu3 nanoparticle exhibits 3-4 times higher mass activity and 4 times higher specific activity for ORR than Pt. Here, the dealloyed PtCo3 also shows about 4 fold increase in specific activity, but 2-3 fold in mass activity than Pt/C. The in-situ generated Pt rich surface of Co rich Pt alloy nanoparticle catalyst tested for ORR activity. Geometric effects based on Pt surface constitution were assumed for the high activity for ORR. PtCo3 nanoparticle catalyst seems to be an interesting opportunity for further studies for ORR. The thermodynamic instable deposition of Co and the robust Pt ECSA are probably the large advantages to other Pt alloys.