Role of nitrogenated carbon in tuning Pt−CeO_x based anode catalysts for higher performance of hydrogen-powered fuel cells

Platinum plays an integral role in the hydrogen economy, catalyzing hydrogen oxidation reaction at the anode side of fuel cells. The high cost of platinum drives strategies for its efficient utilization, including dispersion over high-surface-area oxide materials. Our recent paper published in Applied Surface Science explores one such strategy, focusing on the improvement of Pt−CeO_x catalyst supported on a gas diffusion layer (GDL). Specifically, we show that the fabrication of a nitrogenated carbon interlayer on the GDL significantly increases the porosity (surface area) of Pt−CeO_x catalysts deposited onto the GDL via magnetron sputtering and improves the corrosion resistance of the system during the start-up of a fuel cell. The nitrogenation step can be incorporated into current fabrication processes in a straightforward manner.