An overview on electrochemical and spectroscopic investigation of nanodispersed fuel cell catalyst activity and durability

Abstract EN

Under potential cycling, fuel cell catalysts undergo dramatic losses in activity as a result of corrosion and catalyst surface change and dissolution.

As transmission electron microscopy indicates, in the early potential cycles, two mechanisms are likely involved ; namely, Pt particles growth and Pt dissolution.

We reported that catalyst support plays a key role in enhancing catalyst activity and durability.

Support based on boron doped diamond (DD) has an excellent corrosion resistance in an acidic environment and at high potential.

Hence, BDD could be a good alternative to carbon.

Also, ceramic materials, such as metal oxides, are promising candidates as catalyst supports.

These materials can improve the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity and durability due to possible interaction between catalyst and support.

We have shown, as an example, the effect of support on ORR activity for two systems, Pd / C and Pd / TiO2.