Pt-M (M = Fe, Co, Ni and Cu) electrocatalysts synthesized by an aqueous route for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

L. Xiong, A. M. Kannan, A. Manthiram

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

288 Scopus citations

Abstract

Nanostructured Pt-M (M = Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu) alloy catalysts synthesized by a low temperature (70 °C) reduction procedure with sodium formate in aqueous medium have been investigated for oxygen reduction in sulfuric acid and as cathodes in single proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). The Pt-M alloy catalysts show improved catalytic activity towards oxygen reduction compared to pure platinum. Among the various alloy catalysts investigated, the Pt-Co catalyst shows the best performance with the maximum catalytic activity and minimum polarization occurring at a Pt:Co atomic ratio of around 1:7. While mild heat treatments at moderate temperatures (200 °C) improve the catalytic activity due to a cleaning of the surface oxides, annealing at elevated temperatures (900 °C) degrade the activity due to an increase in particle size.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)898-903
Number of pages6
JournalElectrochemistry Communications
Volume4
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2002
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Galvanostatic polarization
  • Oxygen reduction
  • Platinum alloy catalysts
  • Proton exchange membrane fuel cells

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electrochemistry

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