Interface synergism and engineering of Pd/Co@N-C for direct ethanol fuel cells

Jinfa Chang, Guanzhi Wang, Xiaoxia Chang, Zhenzhong Yang, Han Wang, Boyang Li, Wei Zhang, Libor Kovarik, Yingge Du, Nina Orlovskaya, Bingjun Xu, Guofeng Wang and Yang Yang ()
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Jinfa Chang: University of Central Florida
Guanzhi Wang: University of Central Florida
Xiaoxia Chang: University of Delaware, Newark
Zhenzhong Yang: Physical and Computational Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Han Wang: Physical and Computational Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Boyang Li: University of Pittsburgh
Wei Zhang: University of Central Florida
Libor Kovarik: Physical and Computational Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Yingge Du: Physical and Computational Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Nina Orlovskaya: University of Central Florida
Bingjun Xu: University of Delaware, Newark
Guofeng Wang: University of Pittsburgh
Yang Yang: University of Central Florida

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract Direct ethanol fuel cells have been widely investigated as nontoxic and low-corrosive energy conversion devices with high energy and power densities. It is still challenging to develop high-activity and durable catalysts for a complete ethanol oxidation reaction on the anode and accelerated oxygen reduction reaction on the cathode. The materials’ physics and chemistry at the catalytic interface play a vital role in determining the overall performance of the catalysts. Herein, we propose a Pd/Co@N-C catalyst that can be used as a model system to study the synergism and engineering at the solid-solid interface. Particularly, the transformation of amorphous carbon to highly graphitic carbon promoted by cobalt nanoparticles helps achieve the spatial confinement effect, which prevents structural degradation of the catalysts. The strong catalyst-support and electronic effects at the interface between palladium and Co@N-C endow the electron-deficient state of palladium, which enhances the electron transfer and improved activity/durability. The Pd/Co@N-C delivers a maximum power density of 438 mW cm−2 in direct ethanol fuel cells and can be operated stably for more than 1000 hours. This work presents a strategy for the ingenious catalyst structural design that will promote the development of fuel cells and other sustainable energy-related technologies.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37011-z

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