Electrocatalytic Performances of PdZr/C, PdZrMo/C, and PtZrMo/C Cathode Catalyst for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Abstract

This study comprehensively investigates the synthesis and performance evaluation of nanoscale PdZr/C, PdZrMo/C, and PtZrMo/C catalysts as cathode electrocatalysts in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. The structural and morphological characteristics of the catalysts were elucidated using XRD and SEM-EDX. The electrochemical performance of catalysts was systematically analyzed via cyclic voltammetry (CV). The results indicate that the synthesized catalysts exhibit 2-3 times higher catalytic activity than commercial Pt/C and Pd/C counterparts. Open circuit voltage (OCV) measurements conducted at 40 °C demonstrated values of 0.88 V for PdZr/C, 0.89 V for PdZrMo/C, and 0.92 V for PtZrMo/C. Furthermore, the maximum power densities achieved were 121.55 mW/cm2 for PtZrMo/C, 89.96 mW/cm2 for PdZr/C, and 82.92 mW/cm2 for PdZrMo/C, signifying the superior performance of PtZrMo/C. At 70 °C, the PdZrMo/C and PdZr/C catalysts outperformed conventional Pd/C, underlining their enhanced electrocatalytic efficiency. Based on the maximum power density results, the electrocatalytic activity hierarchy was determined as PtZrMo/C > PdZrMo/C > PdZr/C > Pt/C > Pd/C. Additionally, efficiency analyses based on maximum power outputs further corroborated the potential of these catalysts in advancing PEM fuel cell technology. This study provides valuable insights into the development of high-performance electrocatalysts for sustainable energy applications.