Origin and Formation Mechanism of Carbon Shell-Encapsulated Metal Nanoparticles for Powerful Fuel Cell Durability

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) face technical issues of performance degradation due to catalyst dissolution and agglomeration in real-world operations. To address these challenges, intensive research has been recently conducted to introduce additional structural units on the catalyst surface. Among various concepts for surface modification, carbon shell encapsulation is known to be a promising strategy since the carbon shell can act as a protective layer for metal nanoparticles. As an interesting approach to form carbon shells on catalyst surfaces, the precursor ligand-induced formation is preferred due to its facile synthesis and tunable control over the carbon shell porosity. However, the origin of the carbon source and the carbon shell formation mechanism have not been studied in depth yet. Herein, this study aims to investigate carbon sources through the use of different precursors and the introduction of new methodologies related to the ligand exchange phenomenon. Subsequently, we provide new insights into the carbon shell formation mechanism using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Finally, the thermal stability and electrochemical durability of carbon shells are thoroughly investigated through in situ transmission electron microscopy (in situ TEM) and accelerated durability tests.

Automated summary

This study focuses on the technical issues of performance degradation in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), specifically catalyst dissolution and agglomeration. Carbon shell encapsulation is introduced as a promising strategy to address these challenges. The formation of carbon shells on catalyst surfaces using precursor ligands is studied, and insights into the carbon shell formation mechanism are provided through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The thermal stability and electrochemical durability of carbon shells are investigated using in situ transmission electron microscopy (in situ TEM) and accelerated durability tests.