Synthesis of a highly active carbon-supported Ir–V/C catalyst for the hydrogen oxidation reaction in PEMFC

The active, carbon-supported Ir and Ir–V nanoclusters with well-controlled particle size, dispersity, and composition uniformity, have been synthesized via an ethylene glycol method using IrCl3 and NH4VO3 as the Ir and V precursors. The nanostructured catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The catalytic activities of these carbon-supported nanoclusters were screened by applying on-line cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques, which were used to characterize the electrochemical properties of fuel cells using several anode Ir/C and Ir–V/C catalysts. It was found that Ir/C and Ir–V/C catalysts affect the performance of electrocatalysts significantly based on the discharge characteristics of the fuel cell. The catalyst Ir–V/C at 40 wt.% displayed the highest catalytic activity to hydrogen oxidation reaction and, therefore, high cell performance is achieved which results in a maximum power density of 563 mW cm−2 at 0.512 V and 70 °C in a real H2/air fuel cell. This performance is 20% higher as compared to the commercial available Pt/C catalyst. Fuel cell life test at a constant current density of 1000 mA cm−2 in a H2/O2 condition shows good stability of anode Ir–V/C after 100 h of continuous operation.