Electrochemical Characteristics of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells Using Pt-Ta-Co Electrocatalysts

Polymer electrolyte fuel cells for heavy-duty applications need highly active and durable electrocatalysts. For this purpose, electrocatalysts based on Pt-Ta-Co materials are here developed. This study evaluates the cell performance, the various overvoltages, start-stop and load cycling durability, and electrocatalyst layer microstructure under different fabrication conditions. Guidelines for higher power, higher performance, and higher durability of polymer electrolyte fuel cells are proposed. Using Pt 7 Ta 2 Co 1 /KB electrocatalysts, the initial catalytic activity, start-stop cycle durability, and load cycle durability were all significantly improved compared with a conventional Pt/C electrocatalyst.