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Imaging Reactivity of the Pt–Ionomer Interface in Fuel-Cell Catalyst Layers

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    Research Article

    Imaging Reactivity of the Pt–Ionomer Interface in Fuel-Cell Catalyst Layers
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    ACS Catalysis

    Cite this: ACS Catal. 2020, 10, 15, 8285–8292
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    https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.0c01594
    Published June 30, 2020
    Copyright © 2020 American Chemical Society
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    Abstract

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    The interface between perfluorosulfonic acid polymer electrolytes and Pt nanoparticles in a model hydrogen fuel-cell catalyst layer was analyzed using high-resolution scanning transmission X-ray microscopy. After electrochemical cycling, thin films of damaged ionomer, enriched in C═C bonds, are observed near the Pt surface. This local degradation of the Pt–ionomer interface triggered by electrochemical oxidation contrasts with that from peroxide radical exposure. Peroxide damage is catalyzed by Pt and leads instead to thin films containing carboxylic acids. Direct mapping of the degradation at these nanoscale interfaces inside hydrogen fuel-cell catalyst layers exposes a previously unknown electrochemical reactivity of perfluorinated ionomers.

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    ACS Catalysis

    Cite this: ACS Catal. 2020, 10, 15, 8285–8292
    Click to copy citationCitation copied!
    https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.0c01594
    Published June 30, 2020
    Copyright © 2020 American Chemical Society
    Request reuse permissions

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