02452nas a2200229 4500008004100000022001400041245013900055210006900194260000800263490000600271520157000277653003001847653003001877653004301907100002401950700002701974700002202001700002402023700002002047700002402067856013102091 2025 eng d a2366-748600aPt-based 3D electrocatalyst with process-friendly features for PEMFCs possessing fast activation and improved mass-transfer properties0 aPtbased 3D electrocatalyst with processfriendly features for PEM cAPR0 v93 a

Polymer-electrolyte-membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) face the challenges like slow oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics and limited mass transport at high current densities, which affects their performance. The efficient water removal from the cathode is essential to improve oxygen diffusion. Addressing this, a catalyst is presented with platinum (Pt) nanoparticles distributed within a 3D carbon network (Pt/3DPDC) derived from the polydopamine-coated melamine foam. This unique architecture enhances Pt utilization and water management due to its high porosity and ample free spaces, providing a process-friendly feature for the electrode under PEMFC conditions. The pores and accessible texture of the 3D polydopamine derived carbon (3DPDC) framework facilitate ionomer uptake during the electrode fabrication, extending the active triple-phase boundary and improving the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) performance. The high porosity of Pt/3DPDC is mitigated by adding a small amount of commercial fuel cell catalayst (Pt/C), which maintains the effective catalyst number density per unit area by utilizing the excess porosity of the 3DPDC framework. This controlled interplay of the unique catalyst structure and spatially confined distribution of Pt/C within the Pt/3DPDC framework offers fast activation, reduced electrode flooding, and improved current densities across the operating potential window. This carefully engineered catalyst, designed through bottom-up strategies, is a promising electrocatalyst for practical PEMFC applications.

10aOxygen Evolution Reaction10aoxygen reduction reaction10arechargeable flexible zinc-air battery1 aPandikassala, Ajmal1 aNadumattuvayil, Varsha1 aSingh, Mayank, U.1 aJadhav, Swapnil, D.1 aYoyakki, Athira1 aKurungot, Sreekumar uhttps://library.ncl.res.in/content/pt-based-3d-electrocatalyst-process-friendly-features-pemfcs-possessing-fast-activation-and