High Performing Chemically Ordered Pt₂CoNi/Ti@C as an Efficient and Stable Cathode Catalyst for Oxygen Reduction

Abstract

A cathode catalyst with improved activity for oxygen reduction and enhanced stability is highly required in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Herein, we report chemically ordered Pt2CoNi/C with L10 ordered structure, showing higher activity and stability under the RDE condition. The most fascinating behavior of the catalyst was observed after 60k cycles wherein the specific electrocatalytic activity observed was 3.3 times as high as Pt/C. At 60k cycles the obtained mass activity (I m) and specific activity (I s) was found to be higher than that of the DOE target for MEA, 2025. It also showed promising behavior as a potential cathode catalyst in the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) under the actual operating conditions of PEMFC and exhibited a higher power density than the state-of-the-art Pt/C catalyst. The synergistic effect between the ordered particles of Pt2CoNi and the hybrid support of Ti@C improves the electrocatalytic performance and longevity of Pt2CoNi/Ti@C toward ORR under the harsh acidic medium.

Salt-assisted synthesis of advanced carbon-based materials for energy-related applications

“…Under the actual operating conditions of proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), a superior power density compared with the state-of-the-art Pt/C catalyst is obtained. Such fascinating activity and stability are associated with the synergistic effect between the ordered particles of Pt 2 CoNi and the hybrid support of Ti@C. 121 Jiang et al developed Mo 2 C-decorated carbon cloth (denoted as CC/MC), making use of solid–solid phase interfacial electrochemical reaction between carbon fiber and bulk-MoS 2 in molten NaCl–KCl (700 °C), as illustrated in Fig. 9d.…”

Morphological Evolution of Carbon Quantum Dots to Carbon Nanoneedles and N/F Codoping as an Efficient Catalyst for Oxygen Electrochemistry

“…Developing an economic and efficient electrocatalyst with excellent stability for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is of utmost importance, particularly for advancing fuel cell technology. − Pt and Pt-based alloy catalysts, due to their higher work function, heightened exchange current density, and nanostructural architecture, are potential candidates to boost the ORR efficiency. − However, the commercial feasibility of proton-exchange fuel cells (PEFCs) has been hindered by the inherent limitations associated with Pt-based electrocatalysts, which includes their poor durability, high cost, and limited abundance. , Moreover, PEFCs frequently undergo stringent operational conditions marked by low pH and high voltage (>1 V), compounding the challenges faced by this technology in achieving widespread adoption . The aforementioned limitations have driven the pursuit of alternative, economically viable ORR catalysts that are both abundant in Earth’s resources and cost-effective. − …”