Highly active, corrosion-resistant cathode for fuel cells, based on platinum and molybdenum carbide

Nano-crystallites of molybdenum carbide, Mo₂C, were synthesized via modified polymer-assisted deposition (mPAD) and utilized as platinum support material for polymer electrolyte fuel cells, as alternative for the commonly used, corrosion-prone, carbon supports. The Mo₂C durability, corrosion-resistance and effect on the oxygen reduction reaction with deposited Pt Nano-particles was studied. The synthesized ceramic compound was found to be devoid of free carbon, as opposed to other carbides synthesized in the past, making it potentially compatible for fuel cell electrode material. The molybdenum carbide appeared to improve the electro-catalytic activity of Pt catalyst, showing an increase in both, the mass activity (three times higher at 0.85 V vs. RHE), and half-wave potential (by 70 mV), when compared to commercial Pt/C catalyst. As anticipated, the durability was also increased, showing 40% more resistance to chemical and physical corrosion than standard commercial Pt/C catalyst/support system.