TUNGSTEN METAL/TUNGSTEN NITRIDE ENHANCED PLATINUM-BASED ORR CATALYST AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME

摘要

A method for forming an oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyst (200, 900) may include providing a carbon (210, 910) supported platinum nanoparticle (220, 920) substrate (Pt/C) (110) and applying a tungsten nitride (WN) film (940) onto the surface of the Pt/C substrate (210, 220, 910, 920) using atomic layer deposition (ALD) (120). The Pt/C substrate (210, 220, 910, 920) with the WN film (940) may then be oxidized at a low temperature (130) and annealed at a high temperature in order to reduce WN to metallic tungsten (W) (140). The metallic W forms a blocking layer (230, 930) over coarse Pt nanoparticles (220, 920) and improves the activity and the durability of the Pt/C catalyst (900, 200) when used in fuel cells or related applications.