Insights into electrochemical dealloying of Cu out of Au-doped Pt-alloy nanoparticles at the sub-nano-scale

• Published in: Journal of Electrochemical Science and Engineering Vol. 8; no. 1; pp. 87 - 100
• Main Authors: Gatalo, Matija, Jovanovič, Primož, Ruiz-Zepeda, Francisco, Pavlišič, Andraž, Robba, Ana, Bale, Marjan, Dražić, Goran, Gaberšček, Miran, Hodnik, Nejc
• Format: Journal Article Paper
• Language: English
• Published: Međunarodna udruga fizikalnih kemičara 03-03-2018; International Association of Physical Chemists (IAPC)
• Subjects: EFC-ICP-MS; Electrocatalysis; IL-TEM; ORR; Pt alloy
• ISSN: 1847-9286; 1847-9286
• DOI: 10.5599/jese.487

Pt alloy nanoparticles present the most probable candidate to be used as the cathode cathodic oxygen reduction reaction electrocatalyst for achieving commercialization targets of the low-temperature fuel cells. It is therefore very important to understand its activation and degradation processes. Besides the ones known from the pure Pt electrocatalysts, the dealloying phenomena possess a great threat since the leached less-noble metal can interact with the polymer membrane or even poison the electrocatalyst. In this study, we present a solution, supported by in-depth advance electrochemical characterization, on how to suppress the removal of Cu from the Pt alloy nanoparticles.