(294a) Ultra-Thin Ptfe-Nanowires As Durable Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Abstract:
The sluggish cathode reaction rate and poor catalyst durability are two main
hurdles that hamper the large-scale application of proton exchange membrane
fuel cells (PEMFCs). Recently, we prepared an ultra-thin Pt_xFe_y-nanowire
(NW) catalyst with a diameter (2 ? 3 nm) and a large surface area (52 m²/g),
through a solution-phase reduction method. The Pt_xFe_y-NW
catalyst demonstrated a higher oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity and
better electrochemical durability than conventional Pt/C catalyst in a
three-compartment-cell test. After 1000 cycles of 0 ? 1.3 V (vs. RHE)
accelerated durability test, the relative electrochemical surface area (ECSA)
of Pt₂Fe₁-NW drops down to 46%, which is two times better
than commercial Pt/C catalyst. In addition, the mass activity at 0.85 V (vs.
RHE) on Pt₁Fe₁-NW is 39.9 mA/mg_Pt after
durability test, which is twice that of Pt/C catalyst(18.6 mA/mg_Pt).