The High Anti-CO Poisoning Anode Catalyst Based on Platinum–NbOx Interaction for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

Abstract

The Pt/C catalysts applied in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) suffer CO poisoning in the anode, which notably deteriorates the device performance. The metal–support interaction that decreases the CO oxidation stripping potential is a suitable way to prevent CO anchoring the active sites that can reduce or even avoid the poisoning. Herein, the Pt is supported by amorphous NbO_x (x = 1.0–2.5) and CNT to form Pt@NbO_x + CNT catalyst, which not only displays the lower initial and peak CO oxidation stripping potential but also exhibits the striking anti-CO poisoning and hydrogen oxidation reaction properties. The initial and peak potential for oxidation stripping of Pt@NbO_x + CNT catalyst are 0.162 and 0.332 V, respectively. Moreover, the PEMFC based on Pt@NbO_x + CNT catalyst in 100 ppm CO/H₂ exhibits a peak power density of 1.98 W cm⁻², only 17% reduction compared to that in pure hydrogen and the catalyst remains 10 h stability at 0.4 V.