A Highly Stable Anode, Carbon‐Free, Catalyst Support Based on Tungsten Trioxide Nanoclusters for Proton‐Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Abstract

Durability is an important issue in proton‐exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). One of the major challenges lies in the degradation caused by the oxidation of the carbon support under high anode potentials (under fuel starvation conditions). Herein, we report highly stable, carbon‐free, WO3 nanoclusters as catalyst supports. The WO3 nanoclusters are synthesized through a hard template method and characterized by means of electron microscopy and electrochemical analysis. The electrochemical studies show that the WO3 nanoclusters have excellent electrochemical stability under a high potential (1.6 V for 10 h) compared to Vulcan XC‐72. Pt nanoparticles supported on these nanoclusters exhibit high and stable electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of hydrogen. The catalyst shows negligible loss in electrochemically active surface area (ECA) after an accelerated durability test, whereas the ECA of the Pt nanoparticles immobilized on conventional carbon decreases significantly after the same oxidation condition. Therefore, Pt/WO3 could be considered as a promising alternative anode catalyst for PEMFCs.

SnO2 nanocluster supported Pt catalyst with high stability for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

“…The SnO 2 nanoclusters were prepared using SBA-15 (described in our previous work [21]) as the template and tin (II) chloride dihydrate (SnCl 2 ·2H 2 O) as the tin precursor, according to Shon et al [22]. Typically, 2 g of SBA-15 was activated at 100 • C for 1 h in a single-necked flask, and then 3.06 g of SnCl 2 ·2H 2 O (m. p. 37-38 • C) was poured into the flask.…”

“…Our previous work showed that, using WO 3 nanoclusters as the Pt support yielded a highly stable and active anode catalyst for PEMFCs [21]. However, the surface areas of the prepared WO 3 nanoclusters was low (47 m 2 g −1 ).…”

Supported Noble Metals on Hydrogen‐Treated TiO2 Nanotube Arrays as Highly Ordered Electrodes for Fuel Cells

“…However, carbon oxidation during fuel-cell operation leads to significant degradation because of aggregation and dissolution of Pt particles. [3] Metal oxides (e.g., SnO 2 , [4] WO x , [5] CeO 2 , [6] MnO 2 , [7] and TiO 2 [8] ) that have high stability under fuel-cell operating conditions are beneficial for improving the catalytic performance of catalysts. This is because of strong metal-support interactions (SMSIs) between the metals and the metal oxides, which can promote absorption of oxygen or fuels onto the catalyst surface.…”

Highly effective oxygen reduction activity and durability of antimony-doped tin oxide modified PtPd/C electrocatalysts

“…2,3 At present, the most widely used cathode catalyst system is Pt in the form of small nanoparticles supported on amorphous carbon particles. [6][7][8] The electrochemical corrosion of the carbon support causes agglomeration and sintering of the Pt catalyst particles, resulting in a decreased electrochemical surface area (ESA) and deteriorative activity of the catalyst. [6][7][8] The electrochemical corrosion of the carbon support causes agglomeration and sintering of the Pt catalyst particles, resulting in a decreased electrochemical surface area (ESA) and deteriorative activity of the catalyst.…”

“…9 These effects would lead to a rapid degradation of the Pt catalyst and thus shorten the lifetime of the PEMFCs. 12 To solve the carbon corrosion issue, alternative supports are being developed with the objectives to increase both the support durability and the catalyst activity through improving the catalyst-support interaction by replacing 6,7,[13][14][15][16][17] or combining 18,19 carbon with transition metal oxides, such as antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO). 10,11 Carbon-supported PtPd catalysts with highly catalytic activity and long-term durability have received increasing interest for the application in ORR.…”