Fuel cell catalyst degradation on the nanoscale

• Published in: Electrochemistry communications Vol. 10; no. 8; pp. 1144 - 1147
• Main Authors: Mayrhofer, Karl J.J., Meier, Josef C., Ashton, Sean J., Wiberg, Gustav K.H., Kraus, Florian, Hanzlik, Marianne, Arenz, Matthias
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 01.08.2008; Amsterdam Elsevier Science; New York, NY
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Catalyst degradation; Electrocatalysis; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; Platinum nanoparticles; Transmission electron microscopy; Electrocatalysis; Transmission electron microscopy; Platinum nanoparticles; Catalyst degradation; Fuel cells; Fuel cells,Electrocatalysis,Catalyst degradation,Transmission electron microscopy,Platinum nanoparticles; Electrochemical treatment; Nanoparticle; Transition metal; Carbon; Supported catalyst; Surface structure; Degradation; Nanometer scale; Platinum; Morphology; Fuel cell
• ISSN: 1388-2481; 1873-1902
• DOI: 10.1016/j.elecom.2008.05.032

A newly developed methodology for examining fuel cell catalyst degradation is introduced. In contrast to the conventional, destructive TEM investigation procedure, this methodology enables the observation of corrosion processes of the same catalyst region repeatedly. In particular we demonstrate the impact of a potential cycling treatment on a carbon-supported platinum catalyst, and propose a new corrosion mechanism for fuel cell catalyst degradation. Under the applied harsh conditions, whole Pt particles detach from the support and dissolve into the electrolyte without re-deposition.