Catalytic reactions on the cathode surface of PEFC : Mechanisms to realize high performance of novel alloy catalyst

Abstract

We found that Pt-based alloys had high reactivity for the oxygen reduction reaction. Using the computational method (ab initio analysis) and experimental method (EXAFS, XANES), we clarified the reason why alloying of Pt causes the reactivity enhancement of oxygen reduction reaction. Based on the results, we concluded that the increase of the Pt d-band vacancies, which causes the weakening of H_2O-Pt interaction, is the significant guiding principle for desiging of cathode catalysts.