Lecture
Van Marum Colloquium: On the Stability of Oxygen Reduction Reaction Catalysts
- Date
- Wednesday 24 September 2025
- Time
- Location
-
Gorlaeus Building
Einsteinweg 55
2333 CC Leiden - Room
- CM.3.23
Abstract
The advancement of energy conversion technologies such as proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) relies on the development of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts that combine high activity with long-term durability. While significant progress has been made in improving catalytic activity through alloying the benchmark platinum catalyst with other elements, many high-performance materials exhibit reduced stability under operating conditions. Understanding and mitigating degradation processes is thus essential for the development of active and durable catalysts that meet the requirements for commercial applications.
This talk will highlight the use of advanced in situ techniques to track the degradation of Pt-based bimetallic alloys under simulated operational conditions, aiming to unravel the complex interplay of degradation pathways during ORR catalyst operation and to establish a comprehensive, knowledge-based approach for proposing effective mitigation strategies.
Finally, a strategy involving catalyst compositional engineering will be introduced, offering a promising approach to enhance the stability of ORR catalysts.