Direct observation of the dealloying process of a platinum-yttrium nanoparticle fuel cell cathode and its oxygenated species during the oxygen reduction reaction

Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics : PCCP
Paolo MalacridaIb Chorkendorff

Abstract

Size-selected 9 nm PtxY nanoparticles have recently shown an outstanding catalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction, representing a promising cathode catalyst for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Studying their electrochemical dealloying is a fundamental step towards the understanding of both their activity and stability. Herein, size-selected 9 nm PtxY nanoparticles have been deposited on the cathode side of a PEMFC specifically designed for in situ ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (APXPS). The dealloying mechanism was followed in situ for the first time. It proceeds through the progressive oxidation of alloyed Y atoms, soon leading to the accumulation of Y(3+) cations at the cathode. Acid leaching with sulfuric acid is capable of accelerating the dealloying process and removing these Y(3+) cations which might cause long term degradation of the membrane. The use of APXPS under near operating conditions allowed observing the population of oxygenated surface species as a function of the electrochemical potential. Similar to the case of pure Pt nanoparticles, non-hydrated hydroxide plays a key role in the ORR catalytic process.

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Citations

Aug 2, 2016·Analytical Chemistry·Rui Hao, Bo Zhang
Mar 8, 2018·ChemSusChem·Niklas LindahlBjörn Wickman
Dec 3, 2016·Journal of Physics. Condensed Matter : an Institute of Physics Journal·Lena TrotochaudHendrik Bluhm
Mar 23, 2021·Chemistry, an Asian Journal·Shreya Sarkar, Sebastian C Peter
Oct 8, 2017·Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids·Julie P VanegasAnabel E Lanterna
Jun 12, 2019·Journal of the American Chemical Society·Xiaochen ShenZhenmeng Peng

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