Kinetics of oxide formation and reduction at Pt catalyst in polymer electrolyte fuel cells

Abstract

The rates of oxide formation and reduction at platinum catalyst in polymer electrolyte fuel cells were measured potentiostatically with various potential histories to reveal the kinetics of the reactions. Reaction rates during potential holds after an anodic or a cathodic sweep were examined as a function of potential and PtOH-equivalent oxide coverage. At 500 and 600mV vs. RHE, the oxide coverage increased or decreased with increasing time depending on the potential history; this result indicates that the surfaces with different potential histories have different surface states. Oxide reduction rates were compared by changing potential and duration for oxide formation to attain the same coverage before the reduction. Oxide formed at a higher potential for a shorter period of time was easier to reduce than oxide formed at a lower potential for a longer period of time. This indicates that the oxide-formation potential and/or oxide-formation time are factors to determine the oxide reduction rate.