Carbide-Supported PtRu Catalysts for Hydrogen Oxidation Reaction in Alkaline Electrolyte

Owing to the sluggish kinetics of the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) in alkaline electrolyte, it is considered a limiting reaction for the development of anion-exchange membrane fuel cell (AEMFC) technology. Studies of alkaline HOR catalysis mainly focus on carbon-supported nanoparticles, which have weak metal-support interactions. In this contribution, we present a unique support based on transition metal carbides (TMCs = Mo2C, Mo2C-TaC, and Mo2C-W2C) for the HOR. PtRu nanoparticles are deposited onto the TMC supports and are characterized by a variety of analytical techniques. The major findings are (i) experimental and theoretical evidence for strong-metal support interaction by both X-ray absorption near-edge structure and density functional theory, (ii) the kinetic current density (j(k,s)) @25 mV of PtRu/Mo2C-TaC catalyst are 1.65 and 1.50 times higher than that of PtRu/Mo2C and PtRu/Mo2C-W2C, respectively, and (iii) enhanced tethering of PtRu nanoparticles on TMC supports. Furthermore, the AEMFC based on the PtRu/Mo2C-TaC anode exhibited a peak power density of 1.2 W cm(-2) @70 degrees C, opening the doors for the development of advanced catalysts based on engineering support materials.

Automated summary

Transition metal carbides were used as supports for PtRu nanoparticles in catalyzing the sluggish hydrogen oxidation reaction in alkaline electrolyte, demonstrating enhanced catalytic activity. The study provides experimental and theoretical evidence of strong metal-support interaction and a potential pathway for the development of advanced catalysts.