Enhanced Durability and Catalytic Performance of Pt–SnO2/Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube with Shifted d-Band Center for Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Abstract

Worldwide, significant efforts are made to identify energy sources that can help achieve carbon neutrality and promote sustainable development. The development of a catalyst that combines durability and high performance is essential for the commercialization of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). In a fuel cell, carbon corrosion occurs during startup and shutdown due to improper local flooding caused by inadequate water management. In this study, a Pt-based catalyst is designed with excellent durability and high activity. Introducing a metal oxide layer modified with Pt/multi-walled carbon nanotubes reduces the direct contact between carbon and the fuel cell environment. This helps prevent carbon corrosion and inhibits the separation, aggregation, and growth of Pt nanoparticles. Moreover, the catalyst exhibits enhanced oxygen reduction activity due to the electronic effect of the metal oxide layer that is coated on it. In this study, by implementing a carbon erosion acceleration protocol, excellent catalytic properties during a load-cycling experiment consisting of 5,000 cycles are reported. The practical application of the developed catalyst in PEMFCs offers an effective approach to developing Pt-group metal catalysts with exceptional activity.