Nano-sized Pt–NbO x supported on TiN as cost-effective electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) play a key role for sustainable energy; however, catalyst degradation remains one of the main challenges for competing with traditional energy technologies. The Pt/C commercially available electrocatalysts are susceptible to Pt dissolution and carbon support corrosion. In this context, we design a Pt–NbOx catalyst supported on TiN nanoparticles as an alternative electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The use of Pt–NbOx reduces materials’ costs by lowering the required platinum loading and improving catalyst performance. The TiN support is selected to improve support stability. The electrocatalyst is successfully synthesized by a one-step flame spray process called reactive spray deposition technology. Electrocatalyst with two different very low Pt loadings (0.032 mg cm−2 and 0.077 mg cm−2) are investigated and their performance as cathode is evaluated by the rotating disk electrode method. The new electrocatalyst based on Pt–NbOx supported on TiN has ORR performance that is comparable to the state-of-the-art Pt/C electrocatalyst. A half-wave potential of 910 mV was observed in the polarization curves, as well as a mass activity of 0.120 A∙mgPt−1 and a specific activity of 283 μA∙cmPt−2 at 0.9 V. These results demonstrate that Pt–NbOx on TiN electrocatalyst has the potential for replacing Pt/C cathode in PEMFC.