Study of Pt-Ru-Ir nano-catalysts derived from metal salts prepared by thermal pyrolysis to carry out the oxygen reduction reaction

The primary challenge in regenerative fuel cell systems is the preparation of electrodes where oxygen evolution and reduction reactions occur, known as bifunctional electrodes. The electrocatalytic materials used for their construction are based on the use of metal oxides. Another alternative is to use transition metals and form compounds based on them. Utilizing combinatorial technique libraries to synthesize compounds based on Pt, Ru, and Ir could aid in constructing bifunctional electrodes. The synthesis and characterization of Pt-Ru-Ir compounds suggest using the thermal pyrolysis technique to form electrodes for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). This work shows and discusses the results of the structural, morphological, and atomic composition of two groups of compounds, employing two different stoichiometric ratios based on different proportions of metal salts. The electrochemical characterization is also used to determine their electrocatalytic activity and explore their potential application in the preparation of bifunctional electrodes. • Thermal pyrolysis technique to improve the crystallinity of PtRuIr compoundscompounds. • PtRuIr compounds improve stability for ORR. • The kinetic parameters of the Pt 2.58 Ru 4.0 Ir 2.62 sample is optimum for the ORR.