Open AccessAdvanced Cathode Materials for Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells Based on Pt/ Metal Oxides: From Model Electrodes to Catalyst Systems
Author(s) -
Emiliana Fabbri,
Alexandra Pătru,
Annett Rabis,
R. Kötz,
Thomas J. Schmidt
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
chimia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.387
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 2673-2424
pISSN - 0009-4293
DOI - 10.2533/chimia.2014.217
Subject(s) - materials science , catalysis , oxidizing agent , electrolyte , cathode , nanoparticle , chemical engineering , carbon fibers , polymer , metal , electrode , porosity , inorganic chemistry , nanotechnology , chemistry , composite material , metallurgy , organic chemistry , composite number , engineering
The development of stable catalyst systems for application at the cathode side of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) requires the substitution of the state-of-the-art carbon supports with materials showing high corrosion resistance in a strongly oxidizing environment. Metal oxides in their highest oxidation state can represent viable support materials for the next generation PEFC cathodes. In the present work a multilevel approach has been adopted to investigate the kinetics and the activity of Pt nanoparticles supported on SnO2-based metal oxides. Particularly, model electrodes made of SnO2 thin films supporting Pt nanoparticles, and porous catalyst systems made of Pt nanoparticles supported on Sb-doped SnO2 high surface area powders have been investigated. The present results indicate that SnO2-based supports do not modify the oxygen reduction reaction mechanism on the Pt nanoparticle surface, but rather lead to catalysts with enhanced specific activity compared to Pt/carbon systems. Different reasons for the enhancement in the specific activity are considered and discussed.