The corrosion resistant Pt5Ce–CeO2 structure provides significant oxygen reduction catalysis

Platinum-based alloy catalysts have been extensively studied in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) because of their excellent performance. In this study, Pt5Ce–CeO2/C composite catalysts were synthesized by polyol reduction method and high-temperature calcination method. Owing to the dual effects of the alloying effect of forming Pt5Ce intermetallic compound and the electronic effect of CeO2 modulating the electronic structure of Pt, it exhibits further improved ORR performance than the commercial Pt/C catalysts. The material possesses a 1.0 V starting potential, a 0.83 V half-wave potential, high durability, and methanol resistance. It has strong ORR catalytic activity and works well in Zn-air batteries. The experimental findings demonstrate that metal oxide and alloy structure can be combined to enhance catalyst ORR performance.