Synergy between Intermetallic Pt Alloy and Porous Co-N-4 Carbon Nanofibers Enables Durable Fuel Cells with Low Mass Transport Resistance

Lai, Jiaoyang1; Chen, Shaoqing2,3; Liu, Xuan1; Yan, Xiaoyu1; Qin, Zhuhuang1; Xie, Linfeng1; Lin, Zijie1; Cai, Zhao4; Zhao, Yupei5; Wang, Hsing-Lin3; Huang, Yunhui1; Li, Qing1

2023-08-01

10.1021/acscatal.3c02152

ACS CATALYSIS   Impact Factor & Quartile

2155-5435

The complex chemical environments and strictly limited mass transport in the catalytic layer (CL) of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) seriously hinder their performance. In this study, a one-dimensional atomically dispersed Co-N-4/C porous carbon nanofiber (Co-N-PCNF) supported intermetallic L10-PtCo nanoparticle is developed as an advanced PEMFC cathode via electrospinning. Thanks to the suitable pore structure and homogeneous ionomer distribution, this unique CL exhibits an excellent pressure-independent oxygen transport resistance (R O-2( PI) = 0.0321 s cm(-1)) and favorable ionomer-catalyst contact (92% dry proton accessibility) in an H2-air fuel cell. It also reveals a high initial mass activity (0.61 A mg(Pt)( -1)) and extraordinary durability with MA retention of 99 and 73% after 50,000 and 100,000 cycles, respectively, exceeding the U.S. DOE 2025 targets and representing one of the most durable fuel cell catalysts ever reported. Density function theory calculations reveal that the rapid migration and decomposition of H2O2 from the Co-N-4 site to L10-PtCo is the key to the accelerated oxygen reduction kinetics and the stronger binding between Co-N-PCNF and L10-PtCo compared to carbon support accounts for the much improved stability.

proton exchange membrane fuel cell catalytic layer oxygen reduction reaction oxygen transport resistance proton accessibility

SCI

English

Corresponding

National Key Research and Development Program of China[2021YFA1501001] ; National Natural Science Foundation of China["22122202","21972051","22205153"] ; Zhenjiang Key Research and Development Program[CQ2022006]

Chemistry

Chemistry, Physical

WOS:001063870400001

AMER CHEMICAL SOC

Web of Science

1.Huazhong Univ Sci & Technol, Sch Mat Sci & Engn, State Key Lab Mat Proc & Die & Mould Technol, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, Peoples R China
2.Soochow Univ, Coll Chem Chem Engn & Mat Sci, Innovat Ctr Chem Sci, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, Peoples R China
3.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Dept Mat Sci & Engn, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, Peoples R China
4.China Univ Geosci Wuhan, Fac Mat Sci & Chem, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, Peoples R China
5.Changzhou Univ, Sch Petrochem Engn, Changzhou 212006, Jiangsu, Peoples R China

Lai, Jiaoyang,Chen, Shaoqing,Liu, Xuan,et al. Synergy between Intermetallic Pt Alloy and Porous Co-N-4 Carbon Nanofibers Enables Durable Fuel Cells with Low Mass Transport Resistance[J]. ACS CATALYSIS,2023.

Lai, Jiaoyang.,Chen, Shaoqing.,Liu, Xuan.,Yan, Xiaoyu.,Qin, Zhuhuang.,...&Li, Qing.(2023).Synergy between Intermetallic Pt Alloy and Porous Co-N-4 Carbon Nanofibers Enables Durable Fuel Cells with Low Mass Transport Resistance.ACS CATALYSIS.

Lai, Jiaoyang,et al."Synergy between Intermetallic Pt Alloy and Porous Co-N-4 Carbon Nanofibers Enables Durable Fuel Cells with Low Mass Transport Resistance".ACS CATALYSIS (2023).