Abstract
Pt3Co nanoparticles are used to promote the oxygen reduction kinetics and increase the efficiency of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. For the first time, aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), STEM image simulations, and DFT calculations are combined to provide insight into the origin of enhanced catalysis of Pt3Co nanoparticles. Acid-leached nanoparticles exhibit a solid-solution structure but heterogeneous composition, while heat-treated nanoparticles exhibit an ordered structure, except for the first three surface layers where Pt enrichment is observed.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 530-535 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Chemistry of Materials |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 26 Feb 2013 |
Keywords
- PEM fuel cells
- aberration-corrected STEM
- nanoparticles
- platinum-alloyed catalysts