Conformation-modulated three-dimensional electrocatalysts for high-performance fuel cell electrodes

• Published in: Science advances Vol. 7; no. 30
• Main Authors: Kim, Jong Min, Jo, Ahrae, Lee, Kyung Ah, Han, Hyeuk Jin, Kim, Ye Ji, Kim, Ho Young, Lee, Gyu Rac, Kim, Minjoon, Park, Yemin, Kang, Yun Sik, Jung, Juhae, Chae, Keun Hwa, Lee, Eoyoon, Ham, Hyung Chul, Ju, Hyunchul, Jung, Yeon Sik, Kim, Jin Young
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Association for the Advancement of Science 01-07-2021
• Subjects: Electrochemistry; Materials Science; SciAdv r-articles
• ISSN: 2375-2548; 2375-2548
• DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abe9083

3D customized Pt nanoarchitecture realizes large surface area and porosity for excellent performance and durability in fuel cells.
Unsupported Pt electrocatalysts demonstrate excellent electrochemical stability when used in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells; however, their extreme thinness and low porosity result in insufficient surface area and high mass transfer resistance. Here, we introduce three-dimensionally (3D) customized, multiscale Pt nanoarchitectures (PtNAs) composed of dense and narrow (for sufficient active sites) and sparse (for improved mass transfer) nanoscale building blocks. The 3D-multiscale PtNA fabricated by ultrahigh-resolution nanotransfer printing exhibited excellent performance (45% enhanced maximum power density) and high durability (only 5% loss of surface area for 5000 cycles) compared to commercial Pt/C. We also theoretically elucidate the relationship between the 3D structures and cell performance using computational fluid dynamics. We expect that the structure-controlled 3D electrocatalysts will introduce a new pathway to design and fabricate high-performance electrocatalysts for fuel cells, as well as various electrochemical devices that require the precision engineering of reaction surfaces and mass transfer.