Enhancing performance of Pt-based catalysts for proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Abstract

In the renewable energy society to come in the future, hydrogen is spotlighted as an energy source to replace fossil fuels. The proton exchange membrane fuel cell is a device that can produce electricity more efficiently and eco-friendly than conventional fossil fuels by using the chemical energy of hydrogen. However, the oxygen reduction reaction occurring at the cathode in the proton exchange membrane fuel cell requires an expensive Pt catalyst, and the activity and durability of the catalysts are still insufficient. In this thesis, alloying an expensive Pt catalyst with a transition metal reduces the price of the platinum catalyst, and improves the reactivity and durability of the catalyst by using a Pt layer deposition, Au atom doping, carbon shell encapsulating on the catalysts surface.