Electronic metal-support interaction enhanced oxygen reduction activity and stability of boron carbide supported platinum

Colleen Jackson, Graham T. Smith, David W. Inwood, Andrew S. Leach, Penny S. Whalley, Mauro Callisti, Tomas Polcar, Andrea E. Russell, Pieter Levecque and Denis Kramer ()
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Colleen Jackson: HySA/Catalysis, Catalysis Institute, University of Cape Town, Corner of Madiba Circle and South Lane
Graham T. Smith: HySA/Catalysis, Catalysis Institute, University of Cape Town, Corner of Madiba Circle and South Lane
David W. Inwood: University of Southampton
Andrew S. Leach: University of Southampton
Penny S. Whalley: University of Southampton
Mauro Callisti: Engineering Sciences, University of Southampton
Tomas Polcar: Engineering Sciences, University of Southampton
Andrea E. Russell: University of Southampton
Pieter Levecque: HySA/Catalysis, Catalysis Institute, University of Cape Town, Corner of Madiba Circle and South Lane
Denis Kramer: Engineering Sciences, University of Southampton

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Catalysing the reduction of oxygen in acidic media is a standing challenge. Although activity of platinum, the most active metal, can be substantially improved by alloying, alloy stability remains a concern. Here we report that platinum nanoparticles supported on graphite-rich boron carbide show a 50–100% increase in activity in acidic media and improved cycle stability compared to commercial carbon supported platinum nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy and x-ray absorption fine structure analysis confirm similar platinum nanoparticle shapes, sizes, lattice parameters, and cluster packing on both supports, while x-ray photoelectron and absorption spectroscopy demonstrate a change in electronic structure. This shows that purely electronic metal-support interactions can significantly improve oxygen reduction activity without inducing shape, alloying or strain effects and without compromising stability. Optimizing the electronic interaction between the catalyst and support is, therefore, a promising approach for advanced electrocatalysts where optimizing the catalytic nanoparticles themselves is constrained by other concerns.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15802

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