Multi-atom Pt and PtRu catalysts for high performance AEMFCs with ultra-low PGM content

To reduce the platinum group metal (PGM) loading in anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs), it is important to transition catalysts with very low PGM content, and eventually that are completely PGM-free. In this work, four supported low-PGM Pt PtRu were prepared using a new, simple, scalable technique: Controlled Surface Tension (CST) method. CST allows for high density of small multi-atom clusters. Catalysts physically characterized wide array techniques tested their ORR HOR activity both ex-situ integrated into operating AEMFCs. The was reduced by factor 14 while achieving comparable performance commercial catalysts. AEMFCs also assembled ultralow (0.05 mgPGM cm-2), where anodes paired Fe–N–C cathodes achieve specific power 25 W/mgPGM (40 W/mgPt).