Atomic layer deposition of Pt nanoparticles grown onto 3D B-doped graphene as an efficient ultra-low Pt loading catalyst layer for PEMFC

Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) with ultra-low Pt loading is highly desirable but confronts challenges of deficient activity and durability for practical application. Herein, we report a newly integrated catalyst layer based on 3D porous B-doped graphene (3D-PBG) with the atomic layer deposition of Pt (Pt/3D-PBG) for PEMFC, in which highly graphitized 3D-PBG not only provides a robust framework to support Pt but also B dopants further enhances the deposition of Pt and their electronic interaction, resulting in high-performance PEMFC at ultra-low Pt loading. The cell with Pt/3D-PBG at 80.0 mu gPt cm-2 as cathode delivers a maximum power density of 0.90 W cm-2 (H2/Air, 150.0 kPa) and exhibits high durability meeting the Department of Energy (DOE) 2025 technical targets, which has been rarely achieved in the previous reports. Additionally, theoretical calculations reveal that the BC2O and BCO2 dopants facilitate the adsorption of Pt precursors, generating more nucleation sites for Pt and the BC2O, B4C, and BC3 dopants enhance the interfacial interaction between graphene and Pt and induce a downward shift in the d-band center of Pt, leading to the high activity and durability of Pt/3D-PBG as cathode. This work provides new highlights for developing an efficient catalyst layer with enhanced interaction between Pt and heteroatom-doped graphene with highly graphitic degree for ultra-low Pt loading PEMFC.