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Title: Ultrafine Pt cluster and RuO2 heterojunction anode catalysts designed for ultra-low Pt-loading anion exchange membrane fuel cells

Journal Article · · Nanoscale Horizons
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/c9nh00533a · OSTI ID:1605103

Development of high-performance hydrogen oxidation catalysts with ultralow precious metal loading is critical to the development of next-generation anion-exchange membrane fuel cells. In this work, a novel Ru-rich Pt–RuO2 heterojunction catalyst was synthesized via a solvothermal process followed by thermal treatment. The Pt–RuO2 catalyst has ultrafine Pt clusters and a heterojunction interface between Pt and RuO2, which facilitates high hydrogen oxidation activity while minimizing adverse adsorption of the phenyl group in the polymer electrolyte. The performance of a membrane electrode assembly employing the Pt–RuO2/C reached a peak power density of 0.77 W cm-2 with an anode Pt loading of 25 μgPt cm-2, achieving a specific power of 31 W mgPt-1 under H2/O2 conditions. The combined analysis of electrode performance and cost indicates that Pt–RuO2/C is one of the most promising catalysts that is approaching the U.S. DOE 2020 performance and cost targets for transportation applications.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Center for Nanoscale Materials (CNM); Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Transportation Office. Fuel Cell Technologies Office
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-06CH11357; 89233218CNA000001
OSTI ID:
1605103
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1570487; OSTI ID: 1634968
Report Number(s):
LA-UR-19-29833; NHAOAW; 154405
Journal Information:
Nanoscale Horizons, Vol. 5, Issue 2; ISSN 2055-6756
Publisher:
Royal Society of ChemistryCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 33 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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