An integrated platinum-nanocarbon electrocatalyst for efficient oxygen reduction

Abstract

Efficient and robust platinum-carbon electrocatalysts are of great significance for the long-term service of high-performance fuel cells. Here, we report a Pt alloy integrated in a cobalt-nitrogen-nanocarbon matrix by a multiscale design principle for efficient oxygen reduction reaction. This Pt integrated catalyst demonstrates an increased mass activity, 11.7 times higher than that of commercial Pt catalyst, and retains a stability of 98.7% after 30,000 potential cycles. Additionally, this integrated catalyst delivers a current density of 1.50 A cm⁻² at 0.6 V in the hydrogen-air fuel cell and achieves a power density of 980 mW cm⁻². Comprehensive investigations demonstrate that the synergistic contribution of components and structure in the platinum-carbon integrated catalyst is responsible for the high-efficiency ORR in fuel cells.

Improving fuel cell technologies based on Pt-based alloys is important for efficient fuel cells. Here, the authors report a hybrid PtCo alloy electrocatalyst for acidic oxygen reduction at high current densities and H₂/air fuel cell power densities.