Issue 2, 2024

The role of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy in unraveling the structure–property relationships of Pt-based fuel cells electrocatalysts

Abstract

Platinum-based fuel cell electrocatalysts are structured on a nano level in order to extend their active surface area and maximize the utilization of precious and scarce platinum. Their performance is dictated by the atomic arrangement of their surface layers atoms via structure–property relationships. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) are the preferred methods for characterizing these catalysts, due to their capacity to achieve local atomic-level resolutions. Size, morphology, strain and local composition are just some of the properties of Pt-based nanostructures that can be obtained by (S)TEM. Furthermore, advanced methods of (S)TEM are able to provide insights into the quasi-in situ, in situ or even operando stability of these nanostructures. In this review, we present state-of-the-art applications of (S)TEM in the investigation and interpretation of structure–activity and structure–stability relationships.

Graphical abstract: The role of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy in unraveling the structure–property relationships of Pt-based fuel cells electrocatalysts

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
29 Sept. 2023
Accepted
05 Dec. 2023
First published
06 Dec. 2023
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Inorg. Chem. Front., 2024,11, 323-341

The role of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy in unraveling the structure–property relationships of Pt-based fuel cells electrocatalysts

L. Bijelić, F. Ruiz-Zepeda and N. Hodnik, Inorg. Chem. Front., 2024, 11, 323 DOI: 10.1039/D3QI01998E

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