The Dissolution Dilemma for Low Pt Loading Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Catalysts

Sandbeck D, Secher NM, Inaba M, Quinson J, Sorensen JE, Kibsgaard J, Zana A, Bizzotto F, Speck FD, Paul MT, Dworzak A, Dosche C, Oezaslan M, Chorkendorff I, Arenz M, Cherevko S (2020)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2020

Journal

Journal of The Electrochemical Society Electrochemical Society

Book Volume: 167

Article Number: 164501

Journal Issue: 16

DOI: 10.1149/1945-7111/abc767

Abstract

Cost and lifetime currently hinder widespread commercialization of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Reduced electrode Pt loadings lower costs; however, the impact of metal loading (on the support) and its relation to degradation (lifetime) remain unclear. The limited research on these parameters stems from synthetic difficulties and lack of in situ analytics. This study addresses these challenges by synthesizing 2D and 3D Pt/C model catalyst systems via two precise routes and systematically varying the loading. Pt dissolution was monitored using on-line inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (on-line-ICP-MS), while X-ray spectroscopy techniques were applied to establish the oxidation states of Pt in correlation with metal loading. Dissolution trends emerge which can be explained by three particle proximity dependent mechanisms: (1) shifts in the Nernst dissolution potential, (2) redeposition, and (3) alteration of Pt oxidation states. These results identify engineering limitations, which should be considered by researchers in fuel cell development and related fields.

Authors with CRIS profile

Daniel Sandbeck Lehrstuhl für Elektrokatalyse (HIERN) Serhiy Cherevko Lehrstuhl für Elektrokatalyse (HIERN)

Involved external institutions

University of Copenhagen DK Denmark (DK) Technical University of Denmark / Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU) DK Denmark (DK) Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg DE Germany (DE) Forschungszentrum Jülich / Research Centre Jülich (FZJ) DE Germany (DE) Universität Bern CH Switzerland (CH)

How to cite

APA:

Sandbeck, D., Secher, N.M., Inaba, M., Quinson, J., Sorensen, J.E., Kibsgaard, J.,... Cherevko, S. (2020). The Dissolution Dilemma for Low Pt Loading Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Catalysts. Journal of The Electrochemical Society, 167(16). https://dx.doi.org/10.1149/1945-7111/abc767

MLA:

Sandbeck, Daniel, et al. "The Dissolution Dilemma for Low Pt Loading Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Catalysts." Journal of The Electrochemical Society 167.16 (2020).

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