Cobalt Nitride-Implanted PtCo Intermetallic Nanocatalysts for Ultrahigh Fuel Cell Cathode Performance

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Stable and active oxygen reduction electrocatalysts are critical for efficient fuel cell performance.
• Current catalysts often face challenges with durability and activity under operational conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, highly ordered platinum-cobalt (Pt-Co) alloy embedded with cobalt nitride as an advanced electrocatalyst.
• To evaluate the catalyst's activity, stability, and durability for oxygen reduction reactions in fuel cells.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of intermetallic core-shell Pt-Co alloys with embedded cobalt nitride.
• Electrochemical testing, including mass activity measurements at 0.9 V and accelerated durability testing (30,000 potential cycles).
• Analysis of electrochemical surface area retention and voltage loss under practical fuel cell conditions.

Main Results:

• The Pt-Co alloy catalyst exhibited an initial mass activity of 0.88 A mg_Pt^-1 at 0.9 V.
• Achieved 71% retention after 30,000 potential cycles with only 9% loss in electrochemical surface area.
• Demonstrated unprecedented stability and minimal voltage loss, exceeding US Department of Energy 2025 targets.

Conclusions:

• Regulating atomic ordering in the Pt-Co core optimizes lattice configuration, accelerating oxygen reduction kinetics.
• Embedded cobalt nitride enhances stability by preventing cobalt dissolution, leading to excellent electrocatalyst endurance.
• This structural engineering strategy offers a pathway for designing high-performance, durable Pt-based catalysts for energy conversion.