Non-destructive transmission electron microscopy study of catalyst degradation under electrochemical treatment

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 185; no. 2; pp. 734 - 739
• Main Authors: Mayrhofer, Karl J.J., Ashton, Sean J., Meier, Josef C., Wiberg, Gustav K.H., Hanzlik, Marianne, Arenz, Matthias
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.12.2008; Elsevier
• Subjects: Accelerated electrocatalyst testing; Applied sciences; Carbon; Catalyst degradation; Catalysts; Degradation; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Electron microscopy; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cell; Fuel cells; Nondestructive testing; Platinum; Power sources; Transmission electron microscopy; Transmission electron microscopy; Catalyst degradation; Fuel cell; Accelerated electrocatalyst testing; Electrocatalysis; Non destructive method; Platinum; Secondary cell; Supported catalyst
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2008.08.003

A novel, non-destructive transmission electron microscopy technique is introduced, which enables the observation of the identical locations of a catalyst before and after electrochemical treatment (IL-TEM). The significance of this method is exemplified by the analysis of a standard, commercially available carbon supported platinum catalyst. We demonstrate that the observed changes of the catalyst particles are a direct consequence of the applied electrochemical treatment; and that selected catalyst regions are representative for the catalyst as a whole. Different electrochemical treatments were applied in order to discuss the potential of the method for studying processes of catalyst degradation.