Low-Loading Sub-3 nm PtCo Nanoparticles Supported on Co–N–C with Dual Effect for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

• DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c15996
• Publication Date: 2022-11-23T01:10:17Z
• Authors: Pan Guo; Yunfei Xia; Bo Liu; Miao Ma; Lixiao Shen; Yunkun Dai; Ziyu Zhang; Zigang Zhao; Yunlong Zhang; Lei Zhao; Zhenbo Wang
• Keywords: Reducing agent

Developing low-loading Pt-based catalysts possessing glorious catalytic performance can accelerate oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and hence significantly advance the commercialization of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. In this report, we propose a hybrid catalyst that consists sub-3 nm PtCo intermetallic nanoparticles carried on Co–N–C (PtCo/Co–N–C) via microwave-assisted polyol procedure subsequent heat treatment. Atomically dispersed Co atoms embedded in carriers diffuse into lattice Pt, thus forming ultrasmall nanoparticles. Owing to dual effect enhanced metal–support interaction alloy effect, as-fabricated PtCo/Co–N–C deliver an extraordinary performance, achieving half-wave potential 0.921 V, mass activity 0.700 A mgPt–1@0.9 brilliant durability acidic medium. The cell employing as cathode with ultralow Pt loading 0.05 mg cm–2 exhibits impressive peak power density W cm–2, higher than commercial Pt/C under same condition. Furthermore, intrinsic ORR stability are imputed downshifted d-band center strengthened interaction, revealed by functional theory calculations. This report affords facile tactic fabricate composite catalysts, which is also applicable other catalysts.