Ultra-high-temperature strong metal-support interactions in carbon-supported catalysts

Abstract

Strong metal-support interactions (SMSIs), one of the core concepts in the field of catalysis, have a substantial influence on catalytic performance, especially stability. Conventional view holds that only reducible metal-oxide supports could induce a SMSI encapsulation state upon high-temperature treatments. Herein, we demonstrate a high-temperature SMSI between platinum and sulfur-doped carbon (S-C) supports, featuring charge transfer, suppression of H 2 /CO adsorption, and support of encapsulation. We find that the strong chemical interaction between platinum and sulfur atoms greatly suppresses platinum sintering at moderate temperatures of 300°C–700°C, along with the subsequent formation of SMSI encapsulation structures at high temperatures of 900°C–1,100°C. The high-temperature SMSI endowed the Pt/S-C catalysts with outstanding sintering resistance up to 1,100°C and enhanced electrocatalytic oxygen-reduction reaction (ORR) durability in H 2 –air proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). • Strong metal-support interactions (SMSIs) have a substantial influence in catalysis • Non-reducible carbon support could also induce SMSI encapsulation • High-temperature SMSI enhances fuel cell durability Yin et al. report that non-reducible carbon support can induce SMSI states featuring electron transfer, suppressed H 2 /CO adsorption, and carbon encapsulation. This is shown to promote electrocatalytic ORR activity and durability in H 2 –air fuel cells.