Multifunctional non-Pt ternary catalyst for the hydrogen oxidation and oxygen evolution reactions in reversal-tolerant anode

The reversal-tolerant anode (RTA) has been introduced to mitigate the fatal anode degradation by cell voltage reversal under hydrogen fuel starvation in fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). The RTA employs an oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalyst in the anode to boost water electrolysis rather than carbon corrosion under fuel starvation. Graphitic carbon-supported IrRu4Y0.5 exhibits outstanding performances for hydrogen oxidation reaction and OER. In single cell test, the IrRu4Y0.5 delivers similar to 21% better performance and longer RTA durability (similar to 64 min) than Pt/C catalyst. It is anticipated that IrRuY-based alloy catalysts could replace high-priced Pt-based catalysts as multifunctional RTA for FCEVs.