Pt-Mediated Interface Engineering Boosts the Oxygen Reduction Reaction Performance of Ni Hydroxide-Supported Pd...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Fuel cells require efficient and cost-effective electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).
• Platinum-based catalysts are effective but expensive, driving research into alternatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and evaluate a novel trimetallic nanocatalyst (NPP-70) for enhanced ORR activity.
• To investigate the role of atomic platinum clusters at the Ni(OH)2-to-Pd interface in ORR performance.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a trimetallic nanocatalyst (NPP-70) with atomic Pt clusters at the Ni(OH)2-to-Pd interface.
• Electrochemical testing of the catalyst for ORR in alkaline media.
• Accelerated durability testing (ADT) to assess catalyst stability.
• Physical characterization and in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) to analyze catalyst structure and electronic properties.

Main Results:

• NPP-70 demonstrated significantly higher specific and mass activities compared to commercial Pt/C catalysts.
• The catalyst retained nearly 100% performance after 10,000 ADT cycles.
• Atomic Pt clusters at the interface induced lattice strain and electron relocation, crucial for ORR.
• A control catalyst (NPP-RT) without interface engineering showed drastically reduced ORR performance.

Conclusions:

• Interface engineering is a viable strategy to enhance the electrocatalytic activity of metal hydroxide/oxide-supported Pd nanoparticles.
• The developed NPP-70 catalyst shows promise as a cost-effective alternative to commercial platinum catalysts for ORR.