New electro-catalyst supports

Durability work has demonstrated the detrimental effects of potential cycling on carbon corrosion (Borup et al., 2007) and Pt particle growth and movement of the support within the catalyst layer are two identified mechanisms of deterioration (Ferreira et al., 2005 Kara et al, 2012 Meier et al, 2012a 2012b Wilson et al, 1993). In particular, the corrosion of the carbon black support for cathode catalysts may be a critical problem for cell durability under certain PEMFC operating conditions. The standard electrode potential for the oxidation of carbon to carbon dioxide is low  

and Sb are stable substances in the form of oxides, hydroxides, or metals under these conditions. 

In this chapter, we have presented a selected survey of the literature devoted to the investigation of Pt-based nano-structures for PEMFCs and DMFCs. Moreover, the relationships between Pt 

To enhance the mass activity of Pt, the modification of the catalytic platinum surface by the addition of a second or multiple metals has been developed to remarkably reduce Pt loading while enhancing the catalytic performance. For CO and methanol oxidation reactions, while PtRu is the practical electro-catalyst, PtMo (core-shell) and other ternary catalysts show very high activity in the oxidation of CO and/or methanol. Well-defined Pt3Ni surfaces and Pt3(CoNi) are two good examples to show how judicious design can be beneficial to dramatically enhanced activity in catalyzing ORRs. 

Electro-catalyst supports play a vital role in ascertaining the performance, durability, and cost of PEMFC and DMFC systems. A myriad of nano-structured materials including carbon nanostructures, metal oxides, conducting polymers, transition metals nitrides and carbides, and many hybrid conjugates, have been exhaustively researched to improve the existing support and also to develop novel PEMFC/DMFC catalyst support. One of the main challenges in the immediate future is to develop new catalyst supports that improve the durability of the catalyst layer and, in a best-case scenario, also impact the electronic properties of the active phase to leapfrog to improve catalyst kinetics. 

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