Mapping platinum species in polymer electrolyte fuel cells by spatially resolved XAFS techniques.

There is limited information on the mechanism for platinum oxidation and dissolution in Pt/C cathode catalyst layers of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) under the operating conditions though these issues should be uncovered for the development of next-generation PEFCs. Pt species in Pt/C cathode catalyst layers are mapped by a XAFS (X-ray absorption fine structure) method and by a quick-XAFS(QXAFS) method. Information on the site-preferential oxidation and leaching of Pt cathode nanoparticles around the cathode boundary and the micro-crack in degraded PEFCs is provided, which is relevant to the origin and mechanism of PEFC degradation.