Porous-structured platinum nanocrystals supported on a carbon nanotube film with super catalytic activity and durability

Abstract

Current Pt catalysts suffer from low durability, which is hindering the implementation of fuel cells, metal–air batteries and electrochemical sensors. Here, we report Pt catalysts with not only high activity but also high durability. This was achieved by the electrodeposition of Pt crystal aggregates with a porous structure on a carbon nanotube film. Accelerated degradation testing shows that the new catalysts degrade very little even after 8000 potential cycles under harsh cycling conditions, while the typical commercial Pt/C catalyst loses most of its activity in the first 1000 cycles. Based on the microstructure evolution and electrochemical evidence, the outstanding durability is attributed to the faceted nanocrystals and their interconnected porous network, both of which limit the pathways for Pt dissolution, migration, and agglomeration. The technique reported here provides new opportunities for developing next-generation electrocatalysts for promoting their real applications in many devices.