Pt-alloy electrocatalysts have been investigated for operation in both hydrogen and methanol-fed polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells with the aim of evaluating their performance. Nanosized PtCo catalysts with particle size of about 3 nm were prepared by using a sulphite complex route. To achieve a high degree of alloying a carbothermal reduction was used. This caused the occurrence of a primitive cubic ordered structure. The surface properties were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and low-energy ion scattering spectroscopy (LE-ISS, 3He+ at 1kV). The formation of a Pt skin layer on the surface of the alloy electro-catalyst was studied. The structural and surface characteristics of the samples as well as the type of catalyst support appear to strongly influence the PtCo catalyst performance.
Design of supported PtCo electrocatalysts for pemfcs
Stassi A;Gatto I;Sacca A;Patti A;Monforte G;Baglio V;
2015
Abstract
Pt-alloy electrocatalysts have been investigated for operation in both hydrogen and methanol-fed polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells with the aim of evaluating their performance. Nanosized PtCo catalysts with particle size of about 3 nm were prepared by using a sulphite complex route. To achieve a high degree of alloying a carbothermal reduction was used. This caused the occurrence of a primitive cubic ordered structure. The surface properties were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and low-energy ion scattering spectroscopy (LE-ISS, 3He+ at 1kV). The formation of a Pt skin layer on the surface of the alloy electro-catalyst was studied. The structural and surface characteristics of the samples as well as the type of catalyst support appear to strongly influence the PtCo catalyst performance.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
