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Platinum has been considered as an essential element in both the cathode and anode catalyst in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC). However, with the increasing capacity of PEMFC industry in both transportation and stationary applications, the demand for platinum increases rapidly. From the standpoint of scarcity and cost, developing platinum group metal free (PGM-free) catalyst is rewarding. In this work, we prepared highly active material with secondary nitrogen doping, and were able to scale up material synthesis from milligram scale to gram scale with the high activity well maintained. The scale up catalyst SU-PAU was evaluated in 50 cm2 MEAs with comprehensive operating and design parameter optimization. The state of art 670 mW/cm2 peak power density was achieved under H 2 -Air operation, with the air partial pressure of 1 bar. • Fe–N–C family PGM-free ORR catalyst synthesis is scaled up from milligram sale to gram scale. • Secondary nitrogen doping creates more micropores and increases ORR activity. • Performance of 50 cm2 MEAs are studied with a variety of testing and design parameters. • State of art PGM-free catalyst based H 2 -Air performance (670 mW/cm2) is achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen and carbon doped titanium oxide as an alternative and ultra-stable support to platinum catalysts is prepared and its efficiency is determined by polymer electrolyte fuel cell. Nitrogen and carbon doped titanium oxide is prepared by varying the melamine ratio followed by calcination at 900 °C. Platinum nanoparticles are deposited onto doped and undoped titanium oxide by colloidal method. The doping effect, surface morphology, chemical oxidation state and metal/metal oxide interfacial contact are studied by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photo electron spectroscopy. The nitrogen and carbon doping changes both electronic and structural properties of titanium oxide resulting in enhanced oxygen reduction reaction activity. The platinum deposited on optimum level of nitrogen and carbon doped titanium oxide exhibits improved cell performance in relation to platinum on titanium oxide electrocatalysts. The effect of metal loading on cathode electrocatalyst is investigated by steady-state cell polarization. Accelerated durability test over 50,000 cycles for these electrocatalysts suggested the improved interaction between platinum and nitrogen and carbon doped titanium oxide, retaining the electrochemical surface area and oxygen reduction performance as comparable to platinum on carbon support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to decrease the cost and enhance the performance of the cathode catalyst for PEMFC, carbon supported PtCu and PtCuAg alloys with differential Ag content are synthesized by a borohydride chemical reduction. The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity are tested by cyclic voltammetry (CV）and linear sweep voltammograms (LSV) in 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 . By comparison with the ORR activities of PtCu/C and a series of PtCuAg/C catalysts with differential metal atomic ratios of Pt:Cu:Ag, the PtCuAg/C catalyst with the atomic ratio on 3:10:1 (marked as PtCuAg/C(3:10:1)) shows the best catalytic activity. For the 200th cycles, the limited current reaches to 3.85 mA cm −2 for PtCuAg/C(3:10:1) with Pt-loading of 9.29 μg Pt cm −2 . The CV curves of the PtCuAg/C catalysts show one more pair of redox peaks of Ag compared with PtCu/C catalyst, which is much different from Pt-M alloy catalysts reported in other literature. The TEM and XRD as well as XPS results indicate that the enhanced ORR activity is the result of the smaller particle size, the crystal distortion and the more exposure of Pt atoms with the introduction of Ag for PtCuAg/C(3:10:1) catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new platinum group metal (PGM)-free proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) cathode catalyst materials, synthesized using the VariPore™ method by Pajarito Powder, LLC, are characterized for their structure and activity. The physico-chemical analysis of the iron-nitrogen-carbon (Fe-N-C) electrocatalysts show mesoporous carbon material effectively doped with iron and nitrogen. The materials have an average pore size of 7–8 nm and high specific surface area. The Fe-N-C catalysts exhibit good oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity in 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 electrolyte with high half-wave potential and sustainable electrochemical stability over 10,000 repeated potential cycles with insignificant losses in their activities. As cathode catalysts in a PEMFC, the Fe-N-C materials deliver remarkably good fuel cell performance at low overpotential approaching that of the commercial Pt catalyst. The high ORR electrocatalytic activity of these Fe-N-C catalysts is credited to the synergy between nitrogen-moieties, specifically pyrrolic-N, pyridinic-N, and graphitic-N, and iron in addition to the high mesoporosity that facilitate an effective reaction path in boosting the electrocatalytic activity and stability. [Display omitted] • State-of-the-art commercial PGM-free catalysts for ORR were characterized and evaluated. • Was shown that active centres are atomically dispersed. • Performance of electrocatalysts was evaluated in industrially manufactured MEA form-factor. • The fuel cell performance is close to the state-of-the-art R&D PGM-free catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Composite Pd-based electrocatalysts consisting of a surface layer of Pt (5% wt.) supported on a core Pd3Co1 alloy were prepared. Two preparation approaches were investigated. One consisting of a single-step reduction procedure; in the second method, preparation of the PdCo alloy and deposition of a Pt overlayer occurred in two distinct steps. The catalyst prepared by a one-step process showed oxidised Pt species on the surface even if characterized by a smaller crystallite size with respect to the two-step Pd-based catalyst (4 nm vs. 6 nm). Moreover, the two-step process showed an enrichment of Pt on the surface and a smaller content of Co in the outermost layers. The enhanced surface characteristics of the two-step Pd catalyst resulted in a better performance. At 80 °C, the mass activity was lower than a Pt3Co1 alloy catalyst with the same crystallographic structure. Interestingly, the composite PtPdCo catalyst showed a significant increase of performance as the temperature was increased to 110 °C whereas the Pt3Co1 showed a decrease due to a prevailing effect of ionomer dry-out in the catalytic layer. The composite catalyst appeared sufficiently stable after 104 electrochemical cycles between 0.6 and 0.9 V at 110 °C and 33% R.H. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The influence of ammonium ions on the catalysis of hydrogen oxidation and oxygen reduction is studied by means of rotating ring-disk electrode experiments on polycrystalline platinum in perchloric acid. While ammonium does not affect the hydrogen oxidation reaction, the oxygen reduction reaction is severely poisoned. Poisoning at the cathode explains the majority of the losses observed in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells contaminated with ammonia. Voltammetry in deaerated solution suggest that the poisoning can be attributed to either ammonium oxidation or increased binding to OH species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is one of the most interesting research issues in the academia and industries due to its importance in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. Development of new ORR catalysts with low cost and high activity is under intensive research, but it is a time-consuming process because of wide range of alloys to be explored. Combinatorial synthesis and high-throughput screening techniques were suggested as new experimental approaches to accelerate the ORR electrocatalyst research. The combinatorial method is focused on the synthesis of concentrated arrays and quick evaluation of the arrays via various screening techniques. In this report, the combinatorial approaches for the ORR catalyst research were reviewed based on the screening methods. Four screening techniques of optical screening, scanning electrochemical microscopy, multielectrode half cell, and multielectrode full cell were introduced as the representative ones. Other approaches were also briefly introduced. Merits and limitations of each method were discussed and representative research results of each method were shown in detail. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The generation percentage of H2O2 during oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at practical powder electrocatalysts was evaluated using a scanning electrochemical microscope (SECM). We employed a porous microelectrode that contains electrocatalysts, namely, Pt/C, Pt–Co/C, and Pt–Ru/C as the oxygen reduction electrode of the SECM, and the Pt microelectrode was used as the H2O2 detector. First, the H2O2 generation amount at Pt/Cs was measured by changing the Pt loading amount. A Pt/C with a higher Pt loading has a higher ORR activity and generates a larger amount of H2O2. However, the percentage of H2O2 generated with respect to the ORR is the same regardless of the Pt loading amount. Next, H2O2 generation is markedly suppressed at the Pt–Co/C and Pt–Ru/C in the potential ranges of practical fuel cell cathode and anode, respectively. This explains that the Pt–Co/C is effective when used as a cathode, and the anode Pt–Ru/C enables the reduction of the H2O2 generation even if O2 crossleak occurs in the practical polymer electrolyte fuel cell. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ir85Se15/C catalyst synthesized using Nafion as the stabilizer (Nafion-Ir85Se15/C) has been characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectra measurement, rotating disk electrode and single cell tests. In comparison with Ir85Se15/C catalyst prepared by a traditional polyol method, Nafion-Ir85Se15/C exhibits higher activity for oxygen reduction reaction and better single cell performance. The maximum power density of the single cell with the Nafion-Ir85Se15/C as cathode catalyst is 736mWcm−2, which is 1.8 times as much as that with the Ir85Se15/C catalyst. Therefore, Ir85Se15/C catalyst is expected to be used as an effective cathode electrocatalyst for proton exchange membrane fuel cells by employing Nafion as the stabilizer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The present research is aimed to study the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on a PdCu electrocatalyst synthesized through reduction of PdCl2 and CuCl with NaBH4 in a THF solution. Characterization of PdCu electrocatalyst was performed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. Characterization results showed that the synthesis method produced spherical agglomerated nanocrystalline PdCu particles of about 10nm size. The electrochemical activity was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), rotating disc electrode (RDE) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in a 0.5M H2SO4 electrolyte at 25°C. The onset potential for ORR on PdCu is shifted by ca. 30mV to more positive values and enhanced catalytic current densities were observed, compared to that of pure Pd catalyst. The synthesized PdCu electrocatalyst dispersed on a carbon black support was tested as cathode electrode in a membrane–electrode assembly (MEA) achieving a power density of 150mWcm−2 at 0.38V and 80°C. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A series of carbon-supported Pd–Pt alloy (Pd–Pt/C) catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) with low-platinum content are synthesized via a modified sodium borohydride reduction method. The structure of as-prepared catalysts is characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) measurements. The prepared Pd–Pt/C catalysts with alloy form show face-centered-cubic (FCC) structure. The metal particles of Pd–Pt/C catalysts with mean size of around 4–5nm are uniformly dispersed on the carbon support. The electrocatalytic activities for ORR of these catalysts are investigated by rotating disk electrode (RDE), cyclic voltammetry (CV), single cell measurements and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) measurements. The results suggest that the electrocatalytic activities of Pd–Pt/C catalysts with low platinum are comparable to that of the commercial Pt/C with the same metal loading. The maximum power density of MEA with a Pd–Pt/C catalyst, the Pd/Pt mass ratio of which is 7:3, is about 1040mWcm−2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (CN x ) were prepared via a floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition method using precursors consisting of ferrocene and melamine to control the nitrogen content. Structure, morphology and composition of all CN x catalysts were characterized by SEM, TEM, and XPS. These results indicated that the surface nitrogen content (up to 7.7at.%) increases with the increase of melamine used. Electrochemical methods were used to study the correlation between surface structure and the activity of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in acid and alkaline solutions. Electrochemical data indicated that the higher the nitrogen content is, the higher the oxygen reduction activity. Especially, the results from the rotating ring disk electrode technique demonstrated that CN x (7.7%) has similar ORR activity and selectivity with commercial Pt/C in alkaline solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Carbon supported Pt3Y (Pt3Y/C) and PtY (PtY/C) were investigated as oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts. After synthesis via reduction by NaBH4, the alloy catalysts exhibited 10–20% higher mass activity (mAmgPt −1) than comparably synthesized Pt/C catalyst. The specific activity (μAcmPt −2) was 23 and 65% higher for the Pt3Y/C and PtY/C catalysts, respectively, compared to Pt/C. After annealing at 900°C under a reducing atmosphere, Pt3Y/C-900 and PtY/C-900 catalysts showed improved ORR activity; the Pt/C and Pt/C-900 (Pt/C catalyst annealed at 900°C) catalysts exhibited specific activities of 334 and 393μAcmPt −2, respectively, while those of the Pt3Y/C-900 and PtY/C-900 catalysts were 492 and 1050μAcmPt −2, respectively. X-ray diffraction results revealed that both the Pt3Y/C and PtY/C catalysts have a fcc Pt structure with slight Y doping. After annealing, XRD showed that more Y was incorporated into the Pt structure in the Pt3Y/C-900 catalyst, while the PtY/C-900 catalyst remained unchanged. Although these results suggested that the high ORR activity of the PtY/C-900 catalyst did not originate from Pt–Y alloy formation, it is clear that the Pt–Y system is a promising ORR catalyst which merits further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The iridium oxide nanoparticles supported on Vulcan XC-72 porous carbon were prepared for cathode catalyst in polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC). The catalyst has been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and in PEFC tests. The iridium oxide nanoparticles, which were uniformly dispersed on carbon surface, were 2–3nm in diameter. With respect to the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity was also studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV), revealing an onset potential of about 0.6V vs. an Ag/AgCl electrode. The ORR catalytic activity of this catalyst was also tested in a hydrogen–oxygen single PEFC and a power density of 20mWcm−2 has been achieved at the current density of 68.5mAcm−2. This study concludes that carbon-supported iridium oxide nanoparticles have potential to be used as cathode catalyst in PEFC. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this work, a novel catalyst is prepared by dispersing planar polyphthalocyanine cobalt (PPcCo) synthesized by polymerizing cobalt (II)-4, 4′,4″,4‴-phthalocyanine tetracarboxylic acid (TcPcCo) using a high surface area carbon powder (Vulcan XC 72), and then heat-treated in argon (Ar) atmosphere. The polymer and PPcCo/C catalysts are characterized systematically by a variety of methods, such as ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectrophotometer, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Results show that the PPcCo obtained is stable below 600°C. The active site of PPcCo/C is CoN4 in phthalocyanine ring, and the PPcCo is dispersed homogeneously on the surface of XC 72. Electrocatalytic properties and electrochemical stability of the catalysts in 0.5molL−1 H2SO4 are evaluated by RDE measurements. The initial potential for O2 reduction in O2-saturated H2SO4 is 0.81V and it catalyzed O2 reduction mainly through a four-electron process. Almost no performance degradation is observed over continuous cyclic voltammetry (CV) at 10,000 cycles (4 days). Polarization curves obtained by linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) at 200 cycles also show no change. PPcCo/C catalysts display significant electrocatalytic performance for O2 reduction, tolerance towards methanol, and long-term stability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this study, a novel core–shell structured Pd3Fe@Pt/C electrocatalyst, which is based on Pt deposited onto carbon supported Pd3Fe nanoparticles, is prepared for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The carbon supported Pd3Fe nanoparticles act as seeds to guide the growth of Pt. The formation of the core–shell structured Pd3Fe@Pt/C is confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electrochemical characterization. The higher surface area of the synthesized catalyst suggests that the utilization of Pt in the Pd3Fe@Pt/C catalyst is higher than that in Pt/C. Furthermore, better electrocatalytic performance than that of Pt/C and Pd3Fe/C catalyst is observed in the ORR which follows a four-electron path. Consequently, the results indicate that the Pd3Fe@Pt/C catalyst could be used as a more economically viable alternative for the ORR of PEMFCs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Pd45Pt5Sn50 electrocatalyst was prepared by a NaBH4 reduction of PdCl2, H2PtCl6 and SnCl2 in THF at 0°C. This catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) microanalysis and hydrodynamic electrochemical technique. XRD, SEM and TEM results demonstrate that the borohydrate reduction methodology enable the synthesis of conglomerated particles nanometric in size ranging from 1 to 6nm. Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity was investigated on carbon dispersed catalyst by rotating disk electrode (RDE) technique in H2SO4 0.5M. The effect of temperature on the kinetics was analyzing resulting in an apparent activation energy of 42.54±1kJmol−1, value which is less than the obtained for the nanostructured bimetallic PdSn electrocatalyst under the same experimental condition. The Pd45Pt5Sn50 electrocatalyst dispersed on a carbon powder was tested as cathode electrocatalyst in a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) arriving to a power density of 210mWcm−2 at 0.35V and 80°C. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A solution-phase synthesis method was studied to prepare carbon supported Pt-Co alloy catalysts. The organic precursors of Pt acetylacetonate and Co acetylacetonate were reduced in a high boiling point solvent of octyl ether in the presence of oleic acid (OAc) and oleylamine (OAm) to produce fine Pt-Co nanoparticles, which were subsequently deposited on carbon support to obtain Pt-Co/C catalysts. Thermogravimetric analysis suggests that the stabilizers (OAc and OAm) can be removed by copious ethanol washing and subsequent moderate temperature heat-treatment (250°C, under Argon atmosphere). X-ray diffraction patterns indicate that the average particle size is around 2.3nm, and the lattice parameter is 3.868Å for the heat-treated Pt-Co/C (40wt%). Transmission electron microscopy images show very small Pt-Co alloy nanoparticles homogeneously dispersed on the carbon support with a particle size distribution of 2–4nm for all Pt-Co/C samples. The elements composition of Pt and Co in the final Pt-Co/C catalyst can be well controlled, as evidenced by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy analyses. Proton exchange membrane fuel cell tests show the heat-treated Pt-Co/C cathode catalyst has higher mass activity of oxygen reduction reaction than Pt/C at an operation voltage of 0.9V, this can be attributed to its smaller particle size and reduced lattice parameter. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper the preparation of a new bimetal electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), which is one of the most important bottlenecks in the operation of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), is described. This material was synthesized through a pyrolysis process of a zeolitic inorganic–organic polymer electrolyte (Z-IOPE-like) precursor, followed by suitable washing and activation procedures of the product. The electrocatalyst, whose active sites consist of platinum and rhodium, was: (a) extensively characterized from the chemical, structural, morphological and electrochemical points of view and (b) used to prepare a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) which was tested under operative conditions in a single-cell configuration. It was observed that, with respect to a reference material based on supported platinum, rhodium did not compromise the performance of the electrocatalyst in the ORR. This behaviour was interpreted in the framework of a general model concerning the enhancement of ORR performance in bimetal systems supported on carbon nitrides. Finally, the material shows a slightly better tolerance toward a few common contaminants for the ORR such as methanol and chloride anions, typical of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) and vehicular applications, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Electrochemical evaluation of the Ru x M y Se z (M=Cr, Mo, W) type electrocatalysts towards the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is presented. The electrocatalysts were synthesized by reacting the corresponding transition metal carbonyl compounds and elemental selenium in 1,6-hexanediol under refluxing conditions for 3h. The powder electrocatalysts were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Results indicate the formation of agglomerates of crystalline particles with nanometric size embedded in an amorphous phase. The particle size decreased according to the following trend: Ru x Cr y Se z >Ru x W y Se z >Ru x Mo y Se z . Electrochemical studies were performed by rotating disk electrode (RDE) and rotating ring-disk electrode (RRDE) techniques. Kinetic parameters exhibited Tafel slopes of 120mVdec−1; exchange current density of around 1×10−5 mAcm−2 and apparent activation energies between 40 and 55kJmol−1. A four-electron reduction was found in all three cases. The catalytic activity towards the ORR decreases according to the following trend: Ru x Mo y Se z >Ru x W y Se z >Ru x Cr y Se z . However this trend was not maintained when the materials were tested as cathode electrodes in a single polymer exchange membrane fuel cell, PEMFC. The Ru x W y Se z electrocatalyst showed poor activity compared to Ru x Mo y Se z and Ru x Cr y Se z which were considered suitable candidates to be used as cathode in PEMFCs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In order to effectively utilize expensive Pt in fuel cell electrocatalyst and improve the durability of PEM fuel cells, new catalyst supports with three-dimensional (3D) open structure are highly desirable. Here, we report the fabrication of a 3D core/shell heterostructure consisting tin nanowire core and carbon nanotube shell (SnC) grown directly onto fuel cell backing (here carbon paper) as Pt catalyst support for PEM fuel cells. Compared with the conventional Pt/C membrane electrode assembly (MEA), SnC nanowire-based MEA shows significantly higher oxygen reaction performance and better CO tolerance as well as excellent stability in PEM fuel cells. The results demonstrate that the core/shell nanowire-based composites are very promising supports in making cost effective and electrocatalysts for fuel cell applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper reviews over 120 papers regarding the effect of heat treatment on the catalytic activity and stability of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell catalysts. These catalysts include primarily unsupported and carbon-supported platinum (Pt), Pt alloys, non-Pt alloys, and transition metal macrocycles. The heat treatment can induce changes in catalyst properties such as particle size, morphology, dispersion of the metal on the support, alloying degree, active site formation, catalytic activity, and catalytic stability. The optimum heat-treatment temperature and time period are strongly dependent on the individual catalyst. With respect to Pt-based catalysts, heat treatment can induce particle-size growth, better alloying degree, and changes in the catalyst surface morphology from amorphous to more ordered states, all of which have a remarkable effect on oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity and stability. However, heat treatment of the catalyst carbon supports can also significantly affect the ORR catalytic activity of the supported catalyst. Regarding non-noble catalysts, in particular transition metal macrocycles, heat treatment is also important in ORR activity and stability improvement. In fact, heat treatment is a necessary step for introducing more active catalytic sites. For metal chalcogenide catalysts, it seems that heat treatment may not be necessary for catalytic activity and stability improvement. More research is necessary to improve our fundamental understanding and to develop a new strategy that includes innovative heat-treatment processes for enhancing fuel cell catalyst activity and stability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ceria coated carbon nanotubes (CeO 2 @CNTs) were prepared as a versatile support material to improve both the activity and stability of platinum (Pt)-based catalysts. We demonstrated that the CeO 2 nanoparticles (NPs) had an extrinsically remote functionalization effect on the Pt electrocatalysis. The CeO 2 modulated the electronic structure, and facilitated the O 2 adsorption property of Pt without any intrinsic chemical doping or Pt-alloying. This led to d -band electron filling in Pt, and delivery of active oxygens (O−) to the Pt surface via oxygen spillover at the Pt-CeO x interface, thus enhancing the ORR activity. Furthermore, due to the unique redox behavior between Ce3+ and Ce4+, the dissolved Ce ions could also participate in the radical scavenge reaction, which prevents the chemical degradation of polymeric components in the cell. A single cell using the Pt NPs supported on CeO 2 @CNT as a cathode catalyst delivered a superior electrochemical performance and a retained durability compared to the cells with pristine CNT supported Pt NPs. • The ceria functionalized Pt/CNT (Pt@CeO 2 @CNT) was used as PEM fuel cell catalysts. • Ceria improves the ORR activity of adjacent Pt nanoparticles catalyst. • Dissolved Ce ions effectively scavenge the oxidative free radicals. • Pt@CeO 2 @CNT exhibits outstanding activity and stability in PEM fuel cells.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]