Novel non-Pt electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction

Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that continuously convert chemical energy of externally supplied fuel and oxidant directly to electrical energy by electrochemical reactions with high efficiency and low emission of pollutants. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have been recognized as a potential future power source for zero-emission vehicles among different types of fuel cells under development today. However, to become commercially viable, PEMFCs have to overcome the barrier of high catalyst cost caused by the exclusive use of expensive and precious platinum and platinum-based catalysts in the fuel-cell electrodes. Here we demonstrate a novel class of low-cost nanocatalysts for the PEMFC cathode to substitute for the Pt-based catalyst. The catalysts are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and ICP. Moreover, the activities are investigated by the electrochemical measurements. The results show the catalysts present samll particles, about 3-4 nm and they are mostly dispersed uniformly. The catalysts show high activity toward ORR in PEMFCs, which almost reach 50% that of Tanaka commercial 47.6%Pt/C catalyst. Thus, this category of catalysts brought a prospect future for the final commercialization of PEMFCs