The search for sustainable energy technologies has stimulated great interested in a polymer exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). However, to make it more cost-effective for commercialization, the design of novel cathode materials with high activity for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), low Pt loading, and enhanced long-term durability is imperative. To date, Pt monolayer based electrocatalysts deposited on a metallic core (i.e., Pd or IrM) greatly enhance both the ORR activity and durability. In this study, we synthesized bimetallic IrCu nanoparticles (~5 nm) used as a core for Pt monolayer electrocatalysts. It was found that a de-alloying process activating the nanoparticle surfaces increases both the mass and specific activities. In addition, we demonstrate that Pt monolayer electrocatalysts with a de-alloyed IrCu core have a better stability than those using a non-activated core based on an accelerated 5,000 cycling process.

Enhanced oxygen reduction activity of IrCu core platinum monolayer shell nano-electrocatalysts

244th National Meeting (2012)

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