Cross-linked multi-atom Pt catalyst for highly efficient oxygen reduction catalysis

• DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2020.119728
• Publication Date: 2020-11-24T16:47:00Z
• Authors: Jia Li; Qiuyun Zhou; Mufei Yue; Siguo Chen; Jianghai Deng; Xinyu Ping; Yan Li; Jing Li; Qiang Liao; Minhua Shao; Zidong Wei
• Keywords: Atomically dispersed support; Electrocatalyst; Multi-atom Pt; Fuel cells; 01 natural sciences; 7. Clean energy; Oxygen reduction reaction; 0104 chemical sciences

Abstract Although single-atom catalysts (SACs) are drawing wide attention because they offer properties that differ from those of conventional nanoparticle (NP)-based catalysts, the lack of neighboring metal centers to cooperate in catalysis limits their actual application in many important chemical processes. Here, we report the synthesis of multi-atom Pt catalyst that consists of cross-linked Pt-Pt metal centers stabilized by atomically dispersed ZnFe-N-C support through Pt-N bonds. XAFS analysis reveals that each Pt atom in the multi-atom Pt catalyst coordinates with ∼2.6 N atoms and ∼4.3 Pt atoms. This novel catalyst combines the merits of SACs and NPs, resulting in 100 % exposure of surface Pt atoms and excellent stability and fuel cell performance. With an ultralow Pt loading of 0.035 mg cm−2 at the cathode, the fuel cell delivers a 1.02 W cm-2 maximal power output. DFT calculations revealed that the strongly coupled Pt-N bond is critical for stabilizing the cross-linked Pt.