Pt-Ni/WC Alloy Nanorods Arrays as ORR Catalyst for PEM Fuel Cells

• DOI: 10.1149/08008.0919ecst
• Publication Date: 2017-10-17T08:58:40Z
• Authors: Mahbuba Begum; Mesut Yurukcu; Fatma Yurtsever; Busra Ergul; Nancy Kariuki; Deborah J Myers; Tansel Karabacak
• Keywords: Nanorod

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) among the other types of cell technology are attractive power sources, especially for electric vehicle applications. While significant progress and plausible prospects PEMFCs have been achieved, there still some challenges related to performance, durability, cost that need be overcome make them economically viable widespread commercialization. Our strategy is develop thin films high-active stable catalyst coated on vertically aligned nanorod arrays conductive support. In this work, we fabricated tungsten carbide (WC) nanorods as support with a platinum-nickel (Pt-Ni) alloy shell denoted Pt-Ni/WC catalysts. The were deposited glassy carbon disks well silicon substrates evaluation their electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity physical properties. Cyclic voltammetry experiments using rotating disk electrode performed in perchloric acid (0.1 M HClO4) at room temperature characterize ORR stability Scanning electron microscopy X-ray diffraction techniques utilized study morphology crystallographic properties, respectively.