Resolving the nanoparticles' structure-property relationships at the atomic level: a study of Pt-based electrocatalysts

Achieving highly active and stable oxygen reduction reaction performance at low platinum-group-metal loadings remains one of the grand challenges in the pro-ton-exchange membrane fuel cells community. Currently, state-of-the-art electro-catalysts are high-surface-area-carbon-supported nanoalloys of platinum with different transitionmetals (Cu, Ni, Fe, and Co). Despite years of focused research, the established structure-property relationships are not able to explain and predict the electrochemical performance and behavior of the real nanoparticulate systems. In the first part of this work, we reveal the complexity of commercially available platinum-based electrocatalysts and their electrochemical behavior. In the second part, we introduce a bottom-up approach where atomically resolved properties, structural changes, and strain analysis are recorded as well as analyzed on an individual nanoparticle before and after electrochemical conditions (e.g. high current density). Our methodology offers a new level of understanding of structure-stability relationships of practically viable nanoparticulate systems.

Automated summary

The complexity of commercially available platinum-based electrocatalysts and their electrochemical behavior has been studied, revealing challenges in understanding the structure-property relationships. A bottom-up approach has been introduced to provide a new level of understanding of the structure-stability relationships of nanoparticulate systems.