Tuning the activity of Pt alloy electrocatalysts by means of the lanthanide contraction

A lanthanide boost for platinum High loadings of precious platinum are needed for automotive fuel cells, because the kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are relatively slow. Escudero-Escribano et al. studied a series of platinum alloys with lanthanides and alkaline earth elements. When the surfaces were leached to leave pure platinum, they developed compressive strain that boosted the ORR activity—up to a factor of 6 for terbium. Enthalpy effects helped to stabilize these alloys under operating conditions. Science , this issue p. 73