Temperature-Driven Dissolution of Nanoalloyed Catalyst During Ink Preparation and Membrane Electrode Assembly Fabrication

Platinum (Pt) alloys are excellent oxygen-reduction catalysts used in proton exchange membrane fuel cells, yet their effective integration poses challenges. Through in-situ X-ray diffraction, we investigate the compositional changes during the ink preparation of PtCo and PtNi catalysts and reveal that dissolution is primarily driven by temperature. Comparisons with conventional catalyst-coated membrane (CCM) fabrication methods highlight structural transformations during hot-pressing. Paving the way for advancements in sustainable energy technologies, our findings emphasize the essential need for fundamental knowledge of ink-making and CCM fabrication to unlock Pt-alloy catalyst potential for hydrogen fuel cells. In addition to the academic community, the industry shall benefit from this precise and easy-to-employ methodology.