Enhancing the activity and stability of carbon-supported platinum–gadolinium nanoalloys towards the oxygen reduction reaction

Abstract

The activity/stability towards the ORR of PtxGd/C nanoalloys has been enhanced by controlling the atmosphere during the dealloying process.

Influence of the Carbon Support on the Properties of Platinum–Yttrium Nanoalloys for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

“…In our previous contribution, we have reported that the formation of porous nanoarchitectures does not provide any activity/stability benefit . Therefore, we have avoided the formation of these undesirable structures through acidic wash under an inert atmosphere as we previously reported …”

Revealing the Nature of Active Sites on Pt–Gd and Pt–Pr Alloys during the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

“…In another recent report, Cavaliere et al provided a chemical synthesis approach via a carbodiimide complex route for Pt x Gd nanoparticles. They identified the optimal Pt to Gd ratio and the corresponding particle size and stated that a higher degree of crystallinity and a lesser degree of porosity is beneficial for the ORR performance. , Lower porosity being beneficial for the ORR activity is in line with inactive concave sites. However, since both the morphology and the degree of crystallinity led to optimal performance in the literature results, this conclusion needs to be taken cautiously.…”

Platinum‐Rare Earth Alloy Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction: A Brief Overview

“…Optimization of the ink formulation and the catalyst loading as well as the catalyst dealloying conditions are just some directions to be taken to further enhance this performance. Indeed, as already discussed, dealloying in inert atmosphere leads to higher ORR activity and stability of the nanoalloys, and minimizes the formation of porous nanostructures [39] …”

“…In fact, the gaseous environment in which the selective dissolution of Gd takes place has a great impact on the free corrosion potential (or open circuit potential, OCP) of a corroding system: the presence of oxygen creates a complex mixed OCP, which affects the selective dealloying kinetics [38] . Under this knowledge, the ORR activity and stability of the Pt 4.7 Gd/C electrocatalyst were enhanced by minimizing the formation of porous nanostructures through performing the dealloying process under an inert atmosphere [39] …”

“…[38] Under this knowledge, the ORR activity and stability of the Pt 4.7 Gd/C electrocatalyst were enhanced by minimizing the formation of porous nanostruc-tures through performing the dealloying process under an inert atmosphere. [39] An effect of the carbon support was observed when developing PtÀ Y nanoalloys, whereby the nature and textural properties of the carbon support influences the crystalline phase of the PtÀ Y nanoalloy that forms on it, as well as its particle size and near-surface chemistry. [40] Using Ketjenblack EC-300J (KB300) produced almost phase-pure supported Pt 3 Y alloy of ca.…”