Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 15, 2026
10:57
Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Published on: April 10, 2018
19.2K
Engineering Ru@Pt Core-Shell Catalysts for Enhanced Electrochemical Oxygen Reduction Mass Activity and Stability
Ariel Jackson1, Alaina Strickler2,3, Drew Higgins4,5
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. arieljackson@gmail.com.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 13, 2018
Summary
Highly active and stable ruthenium-platinum (Ru@Pt) core-shell nanoparticles were synthesized for oxygen reduction reactions (ORR). These catalysts surpass current standards for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs), advancing renewable energy technologies.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Catalysis
Background:
- Improving oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts is crucial for the efficiency of renewable energy systems like polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs).
- Current catalysts face challenges in activity and stability, hindering widespread commercial adoption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize highly active and stable carbon-supported Ru@Pt core-shell nanoparticles for ORR electrocatalysis.
- To investigate the influence of synthesis parameters and pretreatment on catalyst performance.
Main Methods:
- Wet chemical synthesis of Ru@Pt core-shell nanoparticles on a carbon support.
- Rotating disc electrode (RDE) testing to evaluate ORR activity.
- Accelerated durability testing (ADT) and Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (STEM-EDS) for stability analysis.
Main Results:
- The synthesized Ru@Pt/C catalyst achieved a mass-based ORR activity of 0.50 A mgPt-1 at 0.9 V vs. RHE, exceeding Department of Energy 2020 targets.
- All tested Ru@Pt/C catalysts showed Pt-based mass activity over 0.4 A mgPt-1, with optimal performance at a 1:1 Ru:Pt ratio.
- The optimized catalyst maintained 85% of its initial activity after 30,000 ADT cycles, demonstrating excellent stability.
- STEM-EDS confirmed the Pt shell effectively protected the Ru core from dissolution.
Conclusions:
- Carbon-supported Ru@Pt core-shell nanoparticles represent a highly promising electrocatalyst for ORR applications in PEFCs.
- The core-shell structure provides enhanced activity and durability compared to state-of-the-art commercial catalysts.
- Further optimization of synthesis parameters can lead to even more efficient and stable electrocatalysts for clean energy technologies.
Related Concept Videos
01:05Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Stability Enhancement and GI Retention
227
Body:Improving a drug's stability in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is paramount for enhancing its bioavailability and therapeutic effectiveness. Various strategies are employed to protect the drug from the harsh gastric milieu and to ensure its release and absorption at the desired site within the GI tract.Polymer coatings are one such method used to shield drugs from the stomach's acidic environment. By preventing premature drug release, these coatings improve the bioavailability of unstable...
227
01:26What is an Electrochemical Gradient?
128.7K
Adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, is considered the primary energy source in cells. However, energy can also be stored in the electrochemical gradient of an ion across the plasma membrane, which is determined by two factors: its chemical and electrical gradients.
The chemical gradient relies on differences in the abundance of a substance on the outside versus the inside of a cell and flows from areas of high to low ion concentration. In contrast, the electrical gradient revolves around an...
The chemical gradient relies on differences in the abundance of a substance on the outside versus the inside of a cell and flows from areas of high to low ion concentration. In contrast, the electrical gradient revolves around an...
128.7K
01:53RNA Stability
35.8K
Intact DNA strands can be found in fossils, while scientists sometimes struggle to keep RNA intact under laboratory conditions. The structural variations between RNA and DNA underlie the differences in their stability and longevity. Because DNA is double-stranded, it is inherently more stable. The single-stranded structure of RNA is less stable but also more flexible and can form weak internal bonds. Additionally, most RNAs in the cell are relatively short, while DNA can be up to 250 million...
35.8K
02:10The Nucleosome Core Particle
14.6K
Nucleosomes are the DNA-histone complex, where the DNA strand is wound around the histone core. The histone core is an octamer containing two copies of H2A, H2B, H3, and H4 histone proteins.
The paradox
Nucleosomes, paradoxically, perform two opposite functions simultaneously. On the one hand, their main responsibility is to protect the delicate DNA strands from physical damage and help achieve a higher compaction ratio. While on the other hand, they must allow polymerase enzymes to access DNA...
The paradox
Nucleosomes, paradoxically, perform two opposite functions simultaneously. On the one hand, their main responsibility is to protect the delicate DNA strands from physical damage and help achieve a higher compaction ratio. While on the other hand, they must allow polymerase enzymes to access DNA...
14.6K
03:18Nuclear Stability
23.4K
Protons and neutrons, collectively called nucleons, are packed together tightly in a nucleus. With a radius of about 10−15 meters, a nucleus is quite small compared to the radius of the entire atom, which is about 10−10 meters. Nuclei are extremely dense compared to bulk matter, averaging 1.8 × 1014 grams per cubic centimeter. If the earth’s density were equal to the average nuclear density, the earth’s radius would be only about 200 meters.
To hold positively charged protons together...
To hold positively charged protons together...
23.4K
03:11Oxidation-Reduction Reactions
75.9K
Oxidation–Reduction Reactions
75.9K