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Pt Nanoplates Interfaced by Atomic CrOx Layer Enable High-Power-Density and Durable PEM Fuel Cells
Yingjun Sun1,2, Fangxu Lin1, Xiaoke Li2
1School of Materials Science and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, China.
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|July 31, 2026
Summary
New 2D platinum-chromium oxide nanoplates (Pt-CrOx NPs) significantly enhance oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) durability in fuel cells. This breakthrough suppresses platinum dissolution, boosting catalyst stability and performance.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Catalysis
Background:
- Platinum (Pt)-based alloy catalysts are crucial for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in proton exchange membrane fuel cells.
- Catalyst dissolution, particularly of Pt, presents a significant challenge to fuel cell durability and performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel synthetic strategy for creating highly stable and active Pt-based catalysts.
- To fundamentally suppress Pt dissolution and enhance the ORR activity of catalysts for fuel cell applications.
Main Methods:
- A stage-dependent competitive adsorption strategy was employed to synthesize 2D Pt nanoplates interfaced with atomic-layer CrOx (Pt-CrOx NPs).
- Electrochemical characterization and accelerated stability testing were performed to evaluate catalyst performance and durability.
- Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were utilized to investigate the underlying mechanisms of Pt dissolution suppression and ORR enhancement.
Main Results:
- The Pt-CrOx NPs exhibited exceptional electrochemical stability, with only a 3.3% decline in mass activity after 30,000 cycles, outperforming commercial Pt/C.
- The membrane electrode assembly using Pt-CrOx NPs achieved a peak power density of 2.30 W cm-2 (H2-O2) and 1.05 W cm-2 (H2-air) at a low Pt loading.
- DFT calculations revealed that the Pt-CrOx interface weakens oxygenated intermediate binding and increases Pt vacancy formation energy, suppressing dissolution.
Conclusions:
- The developed Pt-CrOx NPs demonstrate superior electrochemical stability and ORR activity, addressing the critical challenge of Pt dissolution in fuel cells.
- The findings offer a promising pathway for designing next-generation catalysts with enhanced durability for proton exchange membrane fuel cells.
