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High vacancy formation energy boosts the stability of structurally ordered PtMg in hydrogen fuel cells

Author

Listed:
  • Caleb Gyan-Barimah

    (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST))

  • Jagannath Sai Pavan Mantha

    (The University of Texas at Austin)

  • Ha-Young Lee

    (DGIST)

  • Yi Wei

    (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST))

  • Cheol-Hwan Shin

    (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST))

  • Muhammad Irfansyah Maulana

    (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST))

  • Junki Kim

    (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST))

  • Graeme Henkelman

    (The University of Texas at Austin)

  • Jong-Sung Yu

    (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST)
    DGIST)

Abstract

Alloys of platinum with alkaline earth metals promise to be active and highly stable for fuel cell applications, yet their synthesis in nanoparticles remains a challenge due to their high negative reduction potentials. Herein, we report a strategy that overcomes this challenge by preparing platinum-magnesium (PtMg) alloy nanoparticles in the solution phase. The PtMg nanoparticles exhibit a distinctive structure with a structurally ordered intermetallic core and a Pt-rich shell. The PtMg/C as a cathode catalyst in a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell exhibits a mass activity of 0.50 A mgPt−1 at 0.9 V with a marginal decrease to 0.48 A mgPt−1 after 30,000 cycles, exceeding the US Department of Energy 2025 beginning-of-life and end-of-life mass activity targets, respectively. Theoretical studies show that the activity stems from a combination of ligand and strain effects between the intermetallic core and the Pt-rich shell, while the stability originates from the high vacancy formation energy of Mg in the alloy.

Suggested Citation

  • Caleb Gyan-Barimah & Jagannath Sai Pavan Mantha & Ha-Young Lee & Yi Wei & Cheol-Hwan Shin & Muhammad Irfansyah Maulana & Junki Kim & Graeme Henkelman & Jong-Sung Yu, 2024. "High vacancy formation energy boosts the stability of structurally ordered PtMg in hydrogen fuel cells," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-51280-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51280-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mark K. Debe, 2012. "Electrocatalyst approaches and challenges for automotive fuel cells," Nature, Nature, vol. 486(7401), pages 43-51, June.
    2. Richard D. Tilley & J. Justin Gooding, 2016. "Electrocatalysis: Understanding platinum migration," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 1(11), pages 1-2, November.
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