An integrated platinum-nanocarbon electrocatalyst for efficient oxygen reduction.

Huang, Lei; Wei, Min; Qi, Ruijuan; Dong, Chung-Li; Dang, Dai; Yang, Cheng-Chieh; Xia, Chenfeng; Chen, Chao et al. · Nat Commun · 2022

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Efficient and robust platinum-carbon electrocatalysts are of great significance for the long-term service of high-performance fuel cells. Here, we report a Pt alloy integrated in a cobalt-nitrogen-nanocarbon matrix by a multiscale design principle for efficient oxygen reduction reaction. This Pt integrated catalyst demonstrates an increased mass activity, 11.7 times higher than that of commercial Pt catalyst, and retains a stability of 98.7% after 30,000 potential cycles. Additionally, this integrated catalyst delivers a current density of 1.50 A cm<sup>-2</sup> at 0.6 V in the hydrogen-air fuel cell and achieves a power density of 980 mW cm<sup>-2</sup>. Comprehensive investigations demonstrate that the synergistic contribution of components and structure in the platinum-carbon integrated catalyst is responsible for the high-efficiency ORR in fuel cells.