The Role of High-resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy and Aberration Corrected Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy in Unraveling the Structure-property Relationships of Pt-based Fuel Cells Electrocatalysts

Overview

Journal Inorg Chem Front

Date 2024 Jan 18

PMID 38235274

Authors

Lazar Bijelic

Francisco Ruiz-Zepeda

Nejc Hodnik

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Platinum-based fuel cell electrocatalysts are structured on a nano level in order to extend their active surface area and maximize the utilization of precious and scarce platinum. Their performance is dictated by the atomic arrangement of their surface layers atoms structure-property relationships. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) are the preferred methods for characterizing these catalysts, due to their capacity to achieve local atomic-level resolutions. Size, morphology, strain and local composition are just some of the properties of Pt-based nanostructures that can be obtained by (S)TEM. Furthermore, advanced methods of (S)TEM are able to provide insights into the quasi-, or even operando stability of these nanostructures. In this review, we present state-of-the-art applications of (S)TEM in the investigation and interpretation of structure-activity and structure-stability relationships.

Citing Articles

Using the IL-TEM Technique to Understand the Mechanism and Improve the Durability of Platinum Cathode Catalysts for Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells.

Smykala S, Liszka B, Tomiczek A, Pawlyta M Materials (Basel). 2024; 17(6).

PMID: 38541538 PMC: 10971840. DOI: 10.3390/ma17061384.

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