Pd-Pt Bimetallic Nanodendrites with High Activity for Oxygen Reduction

TLDR

Platinum is an excellent catalyst for the oxygen‑reduction reaction in acidic proton‑exchange membrane fuel cells, but its high cost limits widespread use. The study aims to reduce costs by increasing the surface area of platinum. A simple chemical route reduces Pt ions onto Pd seed crystals, producing faceted Pt nanocrystals with dendritic architecture that yields a high surface area. These catalysts exhibit several‑fold higher activity per unit Pt mass compared to conventional Pt catalysts. Lim et al.

Abstract

Extending Platinum Catalysts Platinum performs extremely well as a catalyst for the oxygen-reduction reaction that runs under highly acidic conditions in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells, but is expensive. One strategy for reducing costs is to increase the surface area of the platinum. Lim et al. (p. 1302 , published online 14 May) describe a simple chemical route, in which Pt ions in solution are reduced onto Pd seed crystals, which creates faceted Pt nanocrystals with a high area owing to their dendritic architecture. On a Pt mass basis, these catalysts are several times more active than conventional Pt catalysts.