Self-supported Pt–CoO networks combining high specific activity with high surface area for oxygen reduction

DOI: 10.1038/s41563-020-0775-8

Authors: Gustav W. Sievers (University of Copenhagen; Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology) , Anders W. Jensen (University of Copenhagen) , Jonathan Quinson (University of Oxford) , Alessandro Zana (University of Copenhagen; University of Bern) , Francesco Bizzotto (University of Bern) , Mehtap Oezaslan (Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg; Technische Universität Braunschweig) , Alexandra Dworzak (Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg; Technische Universität Braunschweig) , Jacob J. K. Kirkensgaard (University of Copenhagen) , Thomas E. L. Smitshuysen (Technical University of Denmark) , Shima Kadkhodazadeh (Technical University of Denmark) , Mikkel Juelsholt (University of Copenhagen) , Kirsten M. Ø. Jensen (University of Copenhagen) , Kirsten Anklam (Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology) , Hao Wan (University of Copenhagen) , Jan Schäfer (Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology) , Klára Čépe (Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials) , María Escudero-Escribano (University of Copenhagen) , Jan Rossmeisl (University of Copenhagen) , Antje Quade (Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology) , Volker Brüser (Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology) , Matthias Arenz (University of Copenhagen; University of Berne)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Nature Materials , VOL 2

State: Published (Approved)
Published: August 2020
Diamond Proposal Number(s): 12746

Abstract: Several concepts for platinum-based catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are presented that exceed the US Department of Energy targets for Pt-related ORR mass activity. Most concepts achieve their high ORR activity by increasing the Pt specific activity at the expense of a lower electrochemically active surface area (ECSA). In the potential region controlled by kinetics, such a lower ECSA is counterbalanced by the high specific activity. At higher overpotentials, however, which are often applied in real systems, a low ECSA leads to limitations in the reaction rate not by kinetics, but by mass transport. Here we report on self-supported platinum–cobalt oxide networks that combine a high specific activity with a high ECSA. The high ECSA is achieved by a platinum–cobalt oxide bone nanostructure that exhibits unprecedentedly high mass activity for self-supported ORR catalysts. This concept promises a stable fuel-cell operation at high temperature, high current density and low humidification.

Journal Keywords: Electrocatalysis; Fuel cells; Materials for energy and catalysis; Nanoscale materials

Diamond Keywords: Fuel Cells

Subject Areas: Chemistry, Energy


Instruments: B18-Core EXAFS

Other Facilities: ROCK beam line at Synchrotron SOLEIL; X10DA at Swiss light source (SLS)

Added On: 01/09/2020 10:31

Discipline Tags:

Automotive Energy Storage Earth Sciences & Environment Transport Sustainable Energy Systems Energy Climate Change Physical Chemistry Catalysis Energy Materials Chemistry Materials Science Engineering & Technology

Technical Tags:

Spectroscopy X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES)