Recently we have found a new class of alloys, which are very active towards the Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR). The first catalyst were predicted in a DFT screening study which identified high activity and stability for Pt3Sc and Pt3Y and the latter proved particular active by a factor 7-8 times as active as polycrystalline Pt. We have since expanded the number of catalyst to also include Zr, Hf La, and Gd . The most active and stable forming alloys form a rather thick skin consisting of several monolayers of Pt. This skin is found to be compressed leading to the necessary lower binding energy of oxygen explaining the enhanced ORR activity. The skin formation has been investigated by a broad range of surface science methods and the progress concerning the combination of ORR activity and structural investigation of polycrystalline, single crystal, and mass selected nanoparticles will be discussed.

Understandingthe new class of Pt<sub>3</sub>X, and Pt<sub>5</sub>X (X= Sc, Y, La, Gd and..) oxygen reduction catalysts and their activation mechanism

245th National Meeting (2013)

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Understandingthe new class of Pt3X, and Pt5X (X= Sc, Y, La, Gd and..) oxygen reduction catalysts and their activation mechanism

Understandingthe new class of Pt₃X, and Pt₅X (X= Sc, Y, La, Gd and..) oxygen reduction catalysts and their activation mechanism