Enhanced durability of Pd/CeO₂-C via metal–support interaction for oxygen reduction reaction

It is a challenge to improve the long-term durability of Pd-based electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cells. Herein, Pd/CeO₂-C-T (<i>T</i>= 800 °C, 900 °C and 1000 °C) hybrid catalysts with metal-support interaction are prepared from Ce-based metal organic framework precursor. Abundant tiny CeO₂nanoclusters are produced to form nanorod structures with uniformly distributed carbon through a calcination process. Meanwhile, both carbon and CeO₂nanoclusters have good contact with the following deposited surfactant-free Pd nanoclusters. Benefited from the large specific surface area, good conductivity and structure integrity, Pd/CeO₂-C-900 exhibits the best electrocatalytic ORR performance: onset potential of 0.968 V and half-wave potential of 0.857 V, outperforming those obtained on Pd/C counterpart. In addition, the half-wave potential only shifts 7 mV after 6000 cycles of accelerated durability testing, demonstrating robust durability.