| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50881 | Catalysis Communications | 2011 | 5 Pages |
Carbon supported platinum based ternary catalysts, namely, Pt6CuFe/C, Pt6AgCu/C and Pt6AgFe/C were prepared by the wet impregnation–reduction method in order to be used at the cathode of the PEM fuel cell. The catalysts were characterized by various techniques including N2 physisorption, XRD, SEM, EDX and CV. N2 physisorption analysis showed that the catalysts have surface areas varying between 152 and 166 m2/g. Estimated platinum mean particle sizes were between 3 and 4 nm according to the XRD data. Electrochemically active surface areas were evaluated by the hydrogen underpotential deposition method and Pt6AgFe/C was found to have the highest EAS with 557 cm2/mgPt and the highest mass activity with 29.1 mA/mg at 0.7 V, which is comparable to the mass activity of Pt/C.
Graphical AbstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch HighlightsBelow are some of the highlights deduced from the corresponding study: ►BET surface areas of the catalysts decreased significantly after the catalyst preparation process ►The Pt peaks are slightly shifted to higher Bragg angles indicating a lattice contraction ►When compared with the lattice parameter of pure Pt (3.914 Å), all three catalysts have smaller lattices which is an evidence for partial alloying ►The particle size of Pt6AgFe/C is comparable with that of the commercial E-TEK Pt/C catalysts with mean particle size between 2 and 3 nm [18]. ►The EAS of the catalysts follows the order Pt6AgFe/C > Pt6CuFe/C > Pt6AgCu/C. ►Regarding the specific activity, all the ternary catalysts have higher specific activities than the pure Pt/C with Pt6AgCu/C having the highest one. ►The high specific activities of the catalysts show that by improving the active surface areas, mass activities of the catalysts can further be increased.
