Coarsening of Pt nanoparticles in proton exchange membrane fuel cells upon potential cycling

Y. Shao-Horn, P. J. Ferreira, G. J. La O, D. Morgan, H. Gasteiger, R. Makharia

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

44 Scopus citations

Abstract

Two different Pt/C samples (Pt/Vulcan and Pt/C-high-surface-area) were subject to potential cycling between 0.6V and 1.0V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode, where significant platinum area loss was found. Both cycled MEA cathode samples were examined and compared in detail by glancing angle X-ray powder Diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to reveal processes responsible for observed platinum loss. TEM data and analyses of pristine and cycled Pt/C catalyst and cross-sectional MEA cathode samples unambiguously confirmed that coarsening of platinum particles occurred via two different processes as reported recently1: i) Ostwald ripening on carbon at the nanometer-scale; and ii) diffusion of soluble platinum species in the ionomer phase at the micrometer-scale, chemical reduction of these species by crossover H2 molecules and precipitation of platinum particles in the cathode ionomer phase. copyright The Electrochemical Society.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationDurability and Reliability of Low-Temperature Fuel Cells Systems
PublisherElectrochemical Society Inc.
Pages185-195
Number of pages11
Edition8
ISBN (Electronic)1566774918
ISBN (Print)1566774918, 9781566774918
DOIs
StatePublished - 2006
Externally publishedYes
EventSymposium on Durability and Reliability of Low-Temperature Fuel Cells Systems - 208th Meeting of the Electrochemical Society - Los Angeles, CA, United States
Duration: 16 Oct 200521 Oct 2005

Publication series

NameECS Transactions
Number8
Volume1
ISSN (Print)1938-5862
ISSN (Electronic)1938-6737

Conference

ConferenceSymposium on Durability and Reliability of Low-Temperature Fuel Cells Systems - 208th Meeting of the Electrochemical Society
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityLos Angeles, CA
Period16/10/0521/10/05

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