The use of PtCu nanoparticles in electrocatalysis has been reported in the last few decades for several oxidative reactions. However, the application of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) operation was limited by the insufficient catalytic activity achieved, and complications of the stability of the material. The main challenge is to reduce the loading of platinum meanwhile increasing the efficiency and durability of the Pt-based catalysts. We have designed, synthesized, and characterized a Pt-based nanomaterial that shows impressive efficiency towards ORR, 0.767 mA cm-2Pt and 0.58 Amg-1Pt the specific and mass activity respectively (4.5 and 3.3 higher than the Pt/C-JM benchmark) that not only preserved, but increase the electrocatalytic activity after 10,000 cycles under accelerated degradation test (ADT) acidic conditions. After ADT, hollow octahedral Pt-rich nanoparticles achieved 1.02 mA cm-2Pt and 0.64 Amg-1Pt toward ORR. PtCu nanoparticles were prepared via solvothermal synthesis, which subsequently revealed octahedral morphology with Pt-rich skin enhances the electroreduction on its surface. The sample was dealloyed chemically and via an electrochemical etching process, revealing Pt-rich hollow octahedral morphology in all of the cases. The durability of the catalyst in acidic medium has been investigated for diverse conditions including, under oxygen and argon saturated atmosphere and different potential ranges. We track the structure evolution of the nanoparticles by several analytical and electron microscopy techniques such as identical location transmission electron microscopy. The electrochemical performance was analyzed by using the rotating disk electrode technique.

High-electroreduction efficiency and stability of dealloyed octahedral PtCu Nanoparticles

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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