Incorporating non-noble transition metals to well established Pt based catalysts has been proven to increase catalytic activity, improve stability and catalyst-support interactions and lower the overall production cost of fuel cells. Most reported fabrication methods involve multiple time-consuming steps that lack efficient usage of Pt metal and are impractical for industrial scaling. In order to produce well dispersed bimetallic nanoparticle (BNP) catalyst layers, Pt/Co or Pt/Ni metals were deposited simultaneously onto carbon cloth gas diffusion layer via Pulsed Potential Deposition (PPD). Both deposition time and deposition potential were varied to optimize catalyst nanoparticles for both hydrogen oxidation (anode electrodes) as well as tackle the slow kinetics of oxygen reduction (cathode electrode). Catalytic activity of the BNP catalyst layers was investigated and compared to commercially available Pt electrodes via cyclic voltammetry. TEM imaging of our BNP confirmed a smaller particle size compared to commercial Pt only samples which contributed greatly to a higher electrochemical surface area and enhanced catalytic activity. Fuel cell testing allowed true comparison between commercially available Pt and our well parameterized BNP catalysts in an operating fuel cell and confirmed the improved activity and performance of our nanoparticle catalysts.

Pulsed potential deposition of bimetallic Pt nanoparticles for fuel cell application

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.