Mo-Decorated Ni3N Nanostructures for Alkaline Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

The sluggish hydrogen oxidation reaction of abundant-platinum group metal (PGM)-free catalysts under alkaline conditions has hindered the possibility of alkaline polymer electrolyte fuel cells (APEFCs). Here we show an improved APEFC with a Mo-decorated Ni3N anode, exhibiting a power density up to 180 mW/cm2 at 70 °C. Mo species on the surface of nanoscale Ni3N were found in the form of both +4 and +6 valences, key for the hydroxyl adsorption. Furthermore, the improved APEFC performance contributed to an enhanced hydroxyl adsorption on Mo4+/6+ species to facilitate the Volmer step. This work has demonstrated a promising approach for exploring PGM-free APEFC electrocatalysts.