Ultralow-loading platinum-cobalt fuel cell catalysts derived from imidazolate frameworks

• DOI: 10.1126/science.aau0630
• Publication Date: 2018-11-08T19:05:19Z
• Authors: Lina Chong; Jianguo Wen; Joseph Kubal; Fatih G. Sen; Jianxin Zou; Jeffery Greeley; Maria Chan; Heather Barkholtz; Wenjiang Ding; Di-Jia Liu
• Keywords: Bimetallic strip; Zeolitic imidazolate framework; Imidazolate

Combine and conquer Platinum (Pt)–group metals, which are scarce expensive, used for the demanding oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in hydrogen fuel cells. One competing approach reducing their use is to create nanoparticles with earth-abundant metals increase activity surface area; another replace them such as cobalt (Co) carbide or nitride sites. Chong et al. thermally activated a Co metal-organic framework compound ORR-active sites then grew PtCo alloy on this substrate. The resulting catalyst had high durability, despite its relatively low Pt content. Science , issue p. 1276