A major contributing factor to the long-term performance degradation of polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) is the loss of electrochemically active surface area (ECA) of the platinum nanoparticle cathode electrocatalyst. One of the proposed mechanisms for this loss is the oxidation, dissolution, and re-deposition of platinum under typical PEFC operating conditions.  The purpose of this study is to determine the mechanisms and rates of dissolution of platinum-based electrocatalysts under conditions relevant to PEFCs operating conditions. Here we will present the results on the investigation of the dissolution behavior of Pt PEFC electrocatalysts in aqueous acidic electrolyte as a function of initial particle size, potential, potential cycling range, and potential profile.

Fundamental studies of platinum electrocatalyst degradation

242nd National Meeting (2011)

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