Highly active and durable Pt–Co nanowire networks catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction in PEMFCs. (2nd November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Daijun; Yan, Zeyu; Li, Bing; Higgins, Drew C.; Wang, Jue; Lv, Hong; Chen, Zhongwei; Zhang, Cunman
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 41:Number 41(2016)
• Page Start: 18592
• Page End: 18601
• Publication Date: 2016-11-02
• Subjects: CTAB -- Pt–Co -- Nanowire networks -- Oxygen reduction reaction -- Durability; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.08.159
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: Well-defined Pt–Co nanowire networks (NWNs) were successfully prepared as oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts by a surfactant-assisted soft template (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, CTAB) synthesis procedure for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). We systematically investigate the impact of synthesis conditions, including the amount of reducing agent used, reaction stirring rates and CTAB concentrations, to determine the conditions for synthesizing Pt–Co NWNs with optimal ORR activity. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) results reveal that Pt–Co NWNs exhibit superior ORR activity in comparison to commercial Pt/C used as a benchmark. The mass and specific activities of Pt–Co NWNs are 0.179 A mg Pt −1 and 357.5 μA cm Pt − 2, respectively. This represents improvements of about 210% and 220%, respectively, in comparison to Pt/C. In addition, accelerated degradation testing (ADT) shows that the Pt–Co NWNs catalysts demonstrate evidently improved durability than commercial Pt/C in terms of electrochemical surface area and ORR activity retention. This renders Pt–Co NWNs as a highly promising, emerging class of ORR catalysts for PEMFCs application. Highlights: The Pt–Co NWNs catalyst successfully synthesized via a soft surfactant template method. Effect of different synthesis conditions investigated. Pt–Co NWNs demonstrates superior ORR activity and durability compared with commercial Pt/C. The unique 1-D structure of nanowires is highly effective for improving catalyst performance.