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Regulating orbital interaction to construct quasi-covalent bond networks in Pt intermetallic alloys for high-performance fuel cells

Author

Listed:
  • Xuan Liu

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Yuhan Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Hu He

    (China Institute of Atomic Energy)

  • Zhonglong Zhao

    (Inner Mongolia University
    California State University Northridge)

  • Xuan Luo

    (Xiamen University)

  • Siyang Zhang

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Gang Lu

    (California State University Northridge)

  • Dong Su

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yucheng Wang

    (Xiamen University)

  • Yunhui Huang

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Qing Li

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

Abstract

The long-standing challenges facing Pt-based alloy catalysts in oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs) are rapid oxidation and loss of transition metal/Pt in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). In this work, we report a concept of “covalentization” in intermetallic L10-PtMM’ (M = Fe, Co, Ni and M’ = one of the 4th-period elements (from Ti to Ge)) alloys to enhance their electrochemical stability. Specifically, the formation of a quasi-covalent bond network in L10-PtMM’ due to the less occupied antibonding states induced by high d-band positions of M’ elements (e.g., Ti, V, Cr) enhances atomic bond order and strength, diminishing Co anodic dissolution via strengthened Pt/Co-M’ bonds and reducing Co cathodic corrosion by inhibiting Pt oxidation through an electron buffering effect. The developed L10-PtCoCr/C catalysts show a high mass activity (MA = 1.27 A mgPt−1) and rated power (16.5 W mgPt−1) in PEMFCs at a low total Pt loading of 0.075 mgPt cm−2. The catalysts also exhibit high electrochemical stability with ~3% and 5% loss of MA and rated power after 30,000 accelerated durability testing cycles and projects a lifetime of about 42,000 hours.

Suggested Citation

  • Xuan Liu & Yuhan Wang & Hu He & Zhonglong Zhao & Xuan Luo & Siyang Zhang & Gang Lu & Dong Su & Yucheng Wang & Yunhui Huang & Qing Li, 2025. "Regulating orbital interaction to construct quasi-covalent bond networks in Pt intermetallic alloys for high-performance fuel cells," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-60171-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-60171-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David A. Cullen & K. C. Neyerlin & Rajesh K. Ahluwalia & Rangachary Mukundan & Karren L. More & Rodney L. Borup & Adam Z. Weber & Deborah J. Myers & Ahmet Kusoglu, 2021. "New roads and challenges for fuel cells in heavy-duty transportation," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 6(5), pages 462-474, May.
    2. Jiantao Fan & Ming Chen & Zhiliang Zhao & Zhen Zhang & Siyu Ye & Shaoyi Xu & Haijiang Wang & Hui Li, 2021. "Bridging the gap between highly active oxygen reduction reaction catalysts and effective catalyst layers for proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 6(5), pages 475-486, May.
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