VO<sub>x</sub> Matrix Confinement Approach to Generate Sub‐3 nm L1<sub>0</sub>‐Pt‐Based Intermetallic Catalysts for Fuel Cell Cathode
Yingjie Deng, Longhai Zhang, Jie Zheng, Dai Dang, Jiaxi Zhang, Xianrui Gu, Xue Yang, Weiquan Tan, Liming Wang, Long Zeng, Chao Chen, Tiejun Wang, Zhiming Cui
Abstract
Abstract Pt‐based intermetallic compounds (IMCs) are considered as a class of promising fuel cell electrocatalysts, owing to their outstanding intrinsic activity and durability. However, the synthesis of uniformly dispersed IMCs with small sizes presents a formidable challenge during the essential high‐temperature annealing process. Herein, a facile and generally applicable VO x matrix confinement strategy is demonstrated for the controllable synthesis of ordered L1 0 ‐PtM (M = Fe, Co, and Mn) nanoparticles, which not only enhances the dispersion of intermetallic nanocrystals, even at high loading (40 wt%), but also simplifies the oxide removal and acid‐washing procedures. Taking intermetallic PtCo as an example, the as‐prepared catalyst displays a high‐performance oxygen reduction activity (mass activity of 1.52 A mg Pt −1 ) and excellent stability in the membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) (the ECSA has just 7% decay after durability test). This strategy provides an economical and scalable route for the controlled synthesis of Pt‐based intermetallic catalysts, which can pave a way for the commercialization of fuel cell technologies.