Enhanced oxygen reduction reaction performance of Pt catalysts on Nb2O5 nanoparticles decorated carbon nanostructures

In this study, in the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, we report cathode catalysts (Pt/Nb2O5/C) for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). In Pt/Nb2O5/C, a hybrid support was prepared by depositing Nb2O5 nanoparticles on the carbon black. Pt nanoparticles were deposited on Nb2O5 decorated carbon black (Nb2O5/C) as the hybrid support as. The strong metal support interactions in Pt/Nb2O5/C, which was observed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, prevented the degradation of the Pt nanoparticles and enhanced the stability of the carbon-based support. On the basis of our durability tests using half and single cells, Pt/Nb2O5/C prepared with an optimal weight of Nb2O5 exhibited significantly lower reduction ratios, i.e., the improved durability of the catalyst. Hence, Pt/Nb2O5/C exhibited comparable activity and improved stability due to the SMSI effect compared to a commercial Pt/C.