Balancing Activity and Stability through Compositional Engineering of Ternary PtNi-Au Alloy ORR Catalysts.

Achieving the optimal balance between cost-efficiency and stability of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts is currently among the key research focuses aiming at reaching a broader implementation of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). To address this challenge, we combine two well-established strategies to enhance both activity and stability of platinum-based ORR catalysts. Specifically, we prepare ternary PtNi-Au alloys, where each alloying element plays a distinct role: Ni reduces costs and boosts ORR activity, while Au enhances stability.

Optimal Pt-Au Alloying for Efficient and Stable Oxygen Reduction Reaction Catalysts.

Stabilization of cathode catalysts in hydrogen-fueled proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is paramount to their widespread commercialization. Targeting that aim, Pt-Au alloy catalysts with various compositions (PtAu, PtAu, and PtAu) prepared by magnetron sputtering were investigated. The promising stability improvement of the Pt-Au catalyst, manifested in suppressed platinum dissolution with increasing Au content, was documented over an extended potential range up to 1.