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Extended-Surface Thin-Film Platinum Electrocatalysts with Tunable Nanostructured Morphologies
Deepra Bhattacharya1, Ke Wang2, Guang-Peng Wu3
1Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States.
JACS Au
|September 1, 2023
Summary
Binder-free platinum electrocatalysts were developed for fuel cells and electrolyzers, significantly reducing platinum group metal (PGM) loadings. These novel catalysts offer enhanced stability and performance, paving the way for cost-effective hydrogen technologies.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Reducing platinum group metal (PGM) loadings is crucial for cost-effective fuel cells and electrolyzers.
- Conventional nanoparticle-based electrocatalysts face performance limitations due to mass transport resistance from ionomer binders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop binder-free, extended-surface thin-film platinum electrocatalysts with tunable nanoscale morphology.
- To investigate the impact of nanoscale morphology and feature size on electrocatalyst performance and stability.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing self-assembled block copolymer (BCP) thin films to template Al2O3 nanostructures.
- Sputtering varying platinum loadings onto BCP-templated nanostructures on glassy carbon substrates.
- Testing oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance using a rotating disk electrode setup.
Main Results:
- Achieved high mass activity (380 mA mgPt-1 at 0.9 V vs RHE) with ultralow PGM loading (5.8 μgPt cm-2).
- Demonstrated superior stability compared to commercial catalysts, with only 11-13% mass activity loss after 20,000 cycles.
- Identified an inverse correlation between feature size and electroactivity, and a preference for cylindrical over lamellar morphologies.
Conclusions:
- BCP templating offers a viable fabrication route for stable, tunable binder-free electrocatalyst geometries.
- Optimized nanoscale morphology is key to overcoming mass transport limitations and enhancing PGM electrocatalyst performance.
- These findings support the scale-up of hydrogen technologies through reduced PGM usage and improved durability.
