Metal agglomeration-resistant catalysts

It is perhaps not immediately obvious that the precious-metal catalysts that are employed for use in PEM fuel cells will be subject to degradation, agglomeration, and even dissolution. Most of us are familiar with platinum as an example of a noble metal, which, according to its definition, means that it resists chemical action and does not corrode. Yet there is compelling evidence that platinum can degrade under conditions experienced in the fuel cell operating environment. Within the catalyst and separator of the fuel cell, the conditions are quite acidic, and the presence of oxygen results in an environment that is extremely oxidative. 

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