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Suppressing Platinum Electrocatalyst Degradation via a High-Surface-Area Organic Matrix Support
Milutin Smiljanić1,2, Marjan Bele1, Léonard Jean Moriau1,3
1Department of Materials Chemistry, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
ACS Omega
|February 7, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed a new platinum catalyst using an organic tris(aza)pentacene (TAP) support. This novel Pt/TAP catalyst shows enhanced durability and suppressed dissolution compared to traditional carbon supports, improving fuel cell and electrolyzer technology.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Degradation of platinum (Pt) nanocatalysts on carbon supports limits the commercialization of fuel cells and electrolyzers.
- Pt dissolution is triggered by transitions between oxidized and reduced states during potential spikes, necessitating robust catalyst designs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel platinum-based catalyst utilizing an organic tris(aza)pentacene (TAP) matrix as an alternative support material.
- To investigate the potential-dependent conductivity of TAP and its effect on platinum catalyst stability.
Main Methods:
- Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to characterize TAP's conductivity.
- Degradation protocol involving voltammetric cycling in HClO4 electrolyte.
- Identical location transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for nanoscale stability assessment.
- Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to quantify Pt dissolution.
Main Results:
- Tris(aza)pentacene (TAP) exhibits potential-dependent conductivity, improving at low potentials (<0.45 VRHE) and restricting at higher potentials (>0.45 VRHE).
- The Pt/TAP catalyst demonstrated significantly enhanced durability compared to Pt/C under harsh degradation conditions.
- Direct measurement confirmed suppressed transient platinum dissolution from Pt/TAP relative to Pt/C.
Conclusions:
- The tunable conductivity of the tris(aza)pentacene (TAP) organic matrix effectively suppresses platinum dissolution.
- Pt/TAP represents a promising alternative catalyst support for improving the long-term stability of fuel cells and electrolyzers.
