One-pot synthesis of Pt/CeO2/C catalyst for improving the ORR activity and durability of PEMFC

Abstract Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity and durability of Pt catalysts should be both valued for successful commercialization of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). We offer a facile one-pot synthesis method to prepare Pt/CeO 2 /C composite catalysts. CeO 2 nanoparticles, with high Ce 3+ concentration ranging from 30.9% to 50.6%, offers the very defective surface where Pt nanoparticles preferentially nuclear and growth. The Pt nanoparticles are observed sitting on the CeO 2 surface, increasing the Pt CeO 2 interface. The high concentration of oxygen vacancies on CeO 2 surface and large Pt CeO 2 interface lead to the strong Pt CeO 2 interaction, effectively improving the ORR activity and durability. The mass activity is increased by up to 50%, from 36.44 mA mg −1 of Pt/C to 52.09 mA mg −1 of Pt/CeO 2 /C containing 20 wt.% CeO 2 . Pt/CeO 2 /C composite catalysts containing 10–30 wt.% CeO 2 loss about 80% electrochemical surface area after 10,000 cycles, which is a fivefold enhancement in durability, compared to Pt/C losing 79% electrochemical surface area after 2000 cycles.