Unique CO-tolerance of Pt–WOx materials

Electrocatalytic Properties of Mixed-Oxide-Containing Composite-Supported Platinum for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cells

TiO2-based mixed oxide–carbon composite supports have been suggested to provide enhanced stability for platinum (Pt) electrocatalysts in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. The addition of molybdenum (Mo) to the mixed oxide is known to increase the CO tolerance of the electrocatalyst. In this work Pt catalysts, supported on Ti1−xMoxO2–C composites with a 25/75 oxide/carbon mass ratio and prepared from different carbon materials (C: Vulcan XC-72, unmodified and functionalized Black Pearls 2000), were compared in the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) and in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) with a commercial Pt/C reference catalyst in order to assess the influence of the support on the electrocatalytic behavior. Our aim was to perform electrochemical studies in preparation for fuel cell tests. The ORR kinetic parameters from the Koutecky–Levich plot suggested a four-electron transfer per oxygen molecule, resulting in H2O. The similarity between the Tafel slopes suggested the same reaction mechanism for electrocatalysts supported by these composites. The HOR activity of the composite-supported electrocatalysts was independent of the type of carbonaceous material. A noticeable difference in the stability of the catalysts appeared only after 5000 polarization cycles; the Black Pearl-containing sample showed the highest stability.

Preparation of Pt electrocatalyst supported by novel, Ti(1−x)MoxO2-C type of composites containing multi-layer graphene

Ball milling is a relative simple and promising technique for preparation of inorganic oxide–carbon type of composites. Novel TiO2-C and Ti0.8Mo2O2-C type of composites containing multi-layer graphene were prepared by ball milling of graphite in order to get electrocatalyst supports for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. Starting rutile TiO2 was obtained from P25 by heat treatment. Carbon-free Ti0.8Mo2O2 mixed oxide, prepared using our previously developed multistep sol–gel method, does not meet the requirements for materials of electrocatalyst support, therefore parent composites with Ti0.8Mo2O2/C = 75/25, 90/10 and 95/5 mass ratio were prepared using Black Pearls 2000. XRD study of parent composites proved that the oxide part existed in rutile phase which is prerequisite of the incorporation of oxophilic metals providing CO tolerance for the electrocatalyst. Ball milling of TiO2 or parent composites with graphite resulted in catalyst supports with enhanced carbon content and with appropriate specific surface areas. XRD and Raman spectroscopic measurements indicated the changes of graphite during the ball milling procedure while the oxide part remained intact. TEM images proved that platinum existed in the form of highly dispersed nanoparticles on the surface of both the Mo-free and of Mo-containing electrocatalyst. Electrocatalytic performance of the catalysts loaded with 20 wt% Pt was studied by cyclic voltammetry, COads-stripping voltammetry done before and after the 500-cycle stability test, as well as by the long-term stability test involving 10,000 polarization cycles. Enhanced CO tolerance and slightly lower stability comparing to Pt/TiO2-C was demonstrated for Pt/Ti0.8Mo2O2-C catalysts.

Lanthanum-based double perovskite nanoscale motifs as support media for the methanol oxidation reaction

We have correlated the performance of double perovskite metal oxides as support media for the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) with their intrinsic size, shape, and composition.

Cobalt Oxide-Supported Pt Electrocatalysts: Intimate Correlation between Particle Size, Electronic Metal-Support Interaction and Stability

Oxide supports can modify and stabilize platinum nanoparticles (NPs) in electrocatalytic materials. We studied related phenomena on model systems consisting of Pt NPs on atomically defined Co₃O₄(111) thin films. Chemical states and dissolution behavior of model catalysts were investigated as a function of the particle size and the electrochemical potential by ex situ emersion synchrotron radiation photoelectron spectroscopy and by online inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Electronic metal-support interaction (EMSI) yields partially oxidized Pt^δ+ species at the metal/support interface of metallic nanometer-sized Pt NPs. In contrast, subnanometer particles form Pt^δ+ aggregates that are exclusively accompanied by subsurface Pt⁴⁺ species. Dissolution of Co^x+ ions is strongly coupled to the presence of Pt^δ+ and the reduction of subsurface Pt⁴⁺ species. Our findings suggest that EMSI directly affects the integrity of oxide-based electrocatalysts and may be employed to stabilize Pt NPs against sintering and dissolution.

The Role of Tungsten Oxide in Enhancing the Carbon Monoxide Tolerance of Platinum-Based Hydrogen Oxidation Catalysts

Significant reductions in total cost of ownership can be realized by engineering PEM fuel cells to run on low-purity hydrogen. One of the main drawbacks of low-purity hydrogen fuels is the carbon monoxide fraction, which poisons platinum electrocatalysts and reduces the power output below useful levels. Platinum-tungsten oxide catalyst systems have previously shown high levels of CO tolerance during both ex situ and in situ investigations. In this work, we explore the mechanism of enhanced tolerance using in situ electrochemical attenuated total reflection-infrared (ATR-IR) and Raman spectroscopy methods and investigate, using a mixture of Pt/C and WO₃ powders, the role of the W^V/W^VI redox couple in the oxidation of adsorbed CO.

Multi-functional anodes boost the transient power and durability of proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells have been regarded as the most promising candidate for fuel cell vehicles and tools. Their broader adaption, however, has been impeded by cost and lifetime. By integrating a thin layer of tungsten oxide within the anode, which serves as a rapid-response hydrogen reservoir, oxygen scavenger, sensor for power demand, and regulator for hydrogen-disassociation reaction, we herein report proton exchange membrane fuel cells with significantly enhanced power performance for transient operation and low humidified conditions, as well as improved durability against adverse operating conditions. Meanwhile, the enhanced power performance minimizes the use of auxiliary energy-storage systems and reduces costs. Scale fabrication of such devices can be readily achieved based on the current fabrication techniques with negligible extra expense. This work provides proton exchange membrane fuel cells with enhanced power performance, improved durability, prolonged lifetime, and reduced cost for automotive and other applications.

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells often suffer from low lifetimes and high cost. Here, the authors enhance the transient power performance and durability of these fuel cells by integrating a thin layer of tungsten oxide within the anode, which acts as a hydrogen reservoir, oxygen scavenger, and a regulator for the hydrogen-disassociation reaction.

Visible-light-driven conversion of organic compounds over WO3-based microtubes with mesoporous-walled structure

Pd-WO₃ microtubes demonstrated complete oxidation of dye molecules and partial oxidation of propan-2-ol with high selectivity for acetone generation.

Atomically-defined model catalysts in ultrahigh vacuum and in liquid electrolytes: particle size-dependent CO adsorption on Pt nanoparticles on ordered Co3O4(111) films

We have studied particle size effects on atomically-defined model catalysts both in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) and under electrochemical (EC) conditions in liquid electrolytes.

CO tolerance of Pt/FeOxcatalyst in both thermal catalytic H2oxidation and electrochemical CO oxidation: the effect of Pt deficit electron state

Decreased electron density of Pt in Pt/Fe enhances the mobility of adsorbed CO, suppresses Pt–CO bonding and prominently enhances CO-tolerance.

Nano-ceramic support materials for low temperature fuel cell catalysts

Low temperature fuel cells (LTFCs) have received broad attention due to their low operating temperature, virtually zero emissions, high power density and efficiency. However, the limited stability of the catalysts is a critical limitation to the large scale commercialization of LTFCs. State of the art carbon supports undergo corrosion under harsh chemical and electrochemical oxidation conditions, which results in performance degradation of catalysts. Therefore, non-carbon materials which are highly oxidation resistant under strongly oxidizing conditions of LTFCs are ideal alternative supports. This minireview highlights the advances and scenarios in using nano-ceramics as supports to enhance the stability of catalysts, the solutions to improve electrical conductivity of nano-ceramic materials, and the synergistic effects between metal catalyst and support to help improve the catalytic activity and CO/SO2 tolerance of catalysts.

A highly stable anode, carbon-free, catalyst support based on tungsten trioxide nanoclusters for proton-exchange membrane fuel cells

Durability is an important issue in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). One of the major challenges lies in the degradation caused by the oxidation of the carbon support under high anode potentials (under fuel starvation conditions). Herein, we report highly stable, carbon-free, WO(3) nanoclusters as catalyst supports. The WO(3) nanoclusters are synthesized through a hard template method and characterized by means of electron microscopy and electrochemical analysis. The electrochemical studies show that the WO(3) nanoclusters have excellent electrochemical stability under a high potential (1.6 V for 10 h) compared to Vulcan XC-72. Pt nanoparticles supported on these nanoclusters exhibit high and stable electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of hydrogen. The catalyst shows negligible loss in electrochemically active surface area (ECA) after an accelerated durability test, whereas the ECA of the Pt nanoparticles immobilized on conventional carbon decreases significantly after the same oxidation condition. Therefore, Pt/WO(3) could be considered as a promising alternative anode catalyst for PEMFCs.