Bulk metallic glass nanowires for use in direct alcohol fuel cell

Abstract

A key issue for direct alcohol fuel cells is its meager performance due to poor efficiency and durability of the catalysts. Developing a new class of materials that can outperform conventional catalysts during long-term operation is of critical importance. Here we report for the first time a nanoimprinting approach using Pt57.5Cu14.7Ni5.3P22.5 bulk metallic glass (BMG) to create a new class of high performance nanowire catalyst. Accelerated durability tests reveal that BMG nanowires maintain their electrochemical surface area in comparison to conventional Pt/C catalysts. BMGs represent a new class of high performance fuel cell catalysts that are CMOS compatible.