Carbon-supported PtCo2Ni2 alloy with enhanced activity and stability for oxygen reduction

The commercialization of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is still restricted by the well-known dilemma, that is, the heavy dependence of using expensive plantinum (Pt) catalyst to negotiate the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics in fuel cell cathodes. Here, a carbon-supported PtCo2Ni2 alloy catalyst with low Pt usage was synthesized via a simple method, which exhibited exceptional ORR activity with a more positive half-wave potential (E-1/2) similar to 57 mV, which was more positive than the state-of-the-art Pt/C catalysts. Moreover, the alloy catalyst performs excellent durability after 10,000 harsh cycles compared with that of Pt/C catalyst in acidic solution, which may be developed as a promising alternative for Pt-based catalysts in fuel cell technology.