Structural and Electrochemical Optimization of Platinum-Saving Pt-CoNiO/C Catalysts Synthesized Via Green Methods for High-Performance PEM Fuel Cells

Abstract

This study evaluates the effectiveness of Pt-CoO/C, Pt-NiO/C, and Pt-CoNiO/C catalysts in PEM fuel cells, highlighting their interactions and synergistic effects on morphology, power density, current density, and electrochemical properties. The current study focuses on examining the structural and morphological characteristics of the catalysts using analytical techniques such as TEM, XRD, and SEM-EDX. Pt-CoNiO/C outperforms conventional catalysts by demonstrating reduced ohmic and mass transport losses attributed to the synergistic effects of Pt, Co, and Ni, which favor electron dispersion and facilitate efficient charge transfer. Pt-CoNiO/C has an electrochemical surface area (ECSA) of 141 m²/g_Pt, and its highest current density is 182 mA/cm². Its highest power density is 137 mW/cm². The performance of the catalyst improves with temperature, with Pt-CoNiO/C achieving the best rating at 70 °C. The results show that Pt-CoNiO/C can be used instead of Pt/C catalysts because it uses less platinum and still works well in PEM fuel cell applications.