Work

Pt nanoparticles for improving the performance and durability of Fe-N-C based materials towards oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline direct methanol fuel cells

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Pt-alloy nanoparticles have been reported to enhance the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) durability and boost Pt methanol tolerance. In this work, we have studied two different Pt-Fe-N-C based materials, where one of the carbon materials is derived from a biomass residue (almond shell), prepared by standard impregnation and NaBH 4 reduction or one-pot high-temperature treatment. The materials were characterized in terms of methanol tolerance, accelerated durability tests, power density in membrane electrode assembly (MEA) configuration, and stability (100 h). The results showed that, although the particle size distribution obtained for the one-pot synthesis was wider, an effective modification of the Pt structure was observed, which was translated into a higher methanol tolerance. When a small amount of platinum was incorporated in the biomass-derived Fe-N-C catalysts, and tested for the first time (to the best of our knowledge) in alkaline direct methanol fuel cell (ADMFC), significant improvement in durability under ORR conditions was achieved, which finally resulted in superior performance in MEA configuration.

Source: Journal of Colloid and Interface Science

DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2025.137426

Authors: G. Alemany-Molina, C. Lo Vecchio, V. Baglio, A.S. Aricò, E. Morallón, D. Cazorla-Amorós

Institutions: University of Alicante, Institute for Advanced Energy Technologies, National Research Council

Language: English

Topic: Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,470