Combined Evaluation via DC DSR Rotating Ring‑Disk Electrode and DC 980pro Fuel‑Cell Test System for Highly‑Stable Pt‑Based Catalysts

A research team from the Ganjiang Innovation Academy, CAS, has developed a PtFe/C@Fe–N–C catalyst that delivers 0.75 A mgₚₜ⁻¹ initial mass activity and retains 97.3% of its mass activity after 30,000 ADT cycles— outperforming the DOE 2025 targets for fuel-cell performance.

The catalyst was validated at both the RRDE (rotating ring–disk electrode) and single-cell level, with HRTEM confirming negligible particle growth after cycling.

📄 DOI: 10.1016/S1872-2067(26)64985-6

First author: Yujuan Zhuang | Corresponding: Qingjun Chen, Lishan Peng

Test Conditions

Active electrode area of single‑cell: 4 cm² (serpentine flow‑field)

Pt loading on both anode and cathode: 0.1 mg cm⁻²

Cell temperature: 80 °C

Relative humidity: 100 % RH

Back‑pressure: 0.15 MPa

Gas flow‑rate: H₂ / O₂ = 0.5 L min⁻¹ for both sides

Accelerated Durability Test (U.S. DOE standard protocol for fuel‑cell catalysts)

Voltage window: 0.6 V ↔ 0.95 V, 3‑second hold at each potential

Gas atmosphere: H₂/N₂ (200/75 sccm)

Number of cycles: 30 000 cycles (ADT cycles in Table S4)

Key data and corresponding figures:

Summary of beginning‑of‑life (BOL) mass activity (0.75 A mg_Pt⁻¹) and post‑ADT mass‑activity retention (97.3 %).

HRTEM images and particle‑size distributions: (a, d) PtFe/C@Fe‑N‑C before and after 100 000 cycles; (b, e) PtFe/C before and after 30 000 cycles; (c, f) Pt/C before and after 30 000 cycles.

HRTEM characterization before and after ADT shows negligible change in particle‑size distribution for PtFe/C@Fe‑N‑C after 30 000 cycles, which microscopically confirms its exceptional structural durability.

Conclusion

After rigorous durability evaluation, the PtFe/C@Fe‑N‑C catalyst demonstrates remarkable performance. In single‑cell tests, its beginning‑of‑life mass activity (BOL MA) reaches 0.75 A mg_Pt⁻¹, outperforming many benchmark catalysts. Most notably, a high mass‑activity retention of 97.3 % is maintained after 30 000 ADT cycles, exhibiting far superior durability over commercial Pt/C and PtFe/C reference samples.

Furthermore, in‑situ characterizations verify its structural stability. This work provides a novel electronic‑structure‑regulation strategy for the rational design of highly durable PEMFC cathode catalysts.