Enhanced stability and activity of platinum-based catalyst using iron-nitrogen co-doped graphene as support for oxygen reduction reaction

The durability of platinum-based catalysts is often compromised by the dissolution and detachment of platinum particles during extended operation in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. In commercial Pt/C catalyst, the interaction between platinum particles and the carbon support is relatively weak. Therefore, enhancing the interaction between the support and platinum particles plays a crucial role in stabilizing the immobilization of platinum particles. In this study, iron-nitrogen-doped graphene is used as the support of platinum particles. The incorporation of iron (Fe) and nitrogen (N) into the graphene matrix induces a significant interaction of platinum with carbon support. Density functional theory calculations indicate that Fe, N-doped graphene is favorable to anchoring the platinum particles. Moreover, the presence of Fe groups, including Fe3C, Fe3N, and FeNx, on the support material, acts as co-catalytic sites for the oxygen reduction reaction. Exceptional activity and stability are achieved by anchoring nanoscale platinum particles onto Fe, N co-doped graphene. This study introduces a promising avenue for the development of durable and cost-effective platinum-based catalysts, offering significant potential for advancing proton exchange membrane fuel cells technology.