Synergistic PtCo bimetallic nanocrystals on hollow carbon nanofibers for high-performance alkaline direct methanol fuel cells

Abstract

The high catalytic activity of low Pt bimetallic catalysts in an alkaline medium opens the way for commercializing alkaline direct methanol fuel cells (ADMFCs) to reduce costs and increase efficiency. A highly dispersed PtCo bimetallic catalyst supported on hollow carbon nanofibers (PtCo-HCNFs) was synthesized. This catalyst demonstrated exceptional methanol oxidation performance, robust CO tolerance, and remarkable electrochemical stability, attributed to the synergistic electron transfer between the Pt and Co active components. Porous electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers and the hollow carbon structure provide fast charge transfer channels and load space, ensuring that the electrocatalyst has abundant active sites and efficient electron transfer. The optimized PtCo-HCNFs were tested as an anode catalyst for an ADMFC single cell and exhibited a mass power density of 109.8 mW mg_Pt⁻¹. Due to the rapid charge transfer and mass transfer caused by their one-dimensional hollow porous structure and the synergistic effect of the PtCo bimetal, PtCo-HCNFs are expected to be an economical, efficient, and Co-resistant electrocatalyst for the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). Concurrently, the merits of the low cost and high mass power density of PtCo-HCNFs in ADMFCs will prove to be of significant benefit in the promotion of the commercial application of ADMFCs.