Ultrafine Pt cluster and RuO2 heterojunction anode catalysts designed for ultra-low Pt-loading anion exchange membrane fuel cells

摘要

Development of high-performance hydrogen oxidation catalysts with ultralow precious metal loading is critical to the development of next-generation anion-exchange membrane fuel cells.Here,a novel Ru-rich Pt-RuO2 heterojunction catalyst was synthesized via a solvothermal process followed by thermal treatment.The Pt-RuO2 catalyst has ultrafine Pt clusters and a heterojunction interface between Pt and RuO2,which facilitates high hydrogen oxidation activity while minimizing adverse adsorption of the phenyl group in the polymer electrolyte.The performance of a membrane electrode assembly employing the Pt-RuO2/C reached a peak power density of 0.77 W cm~(-2) with an anode Pt loading of 25 μg_(Pt) cm~(-2),achieving a specific power of 31 W mg_(Pt)~(-1) under H2/O2 conditions.The combined analysis of electrode performance and cost indicates that Pt-RuO2/C is one of the most promising catalysts that is approaching the U.S.DOE 2020 performance and cost targets for transportation applications.