Effect of Nitrogen-Containing Carbon Shell-Coated Carbon Support on the Catalytic Performance of Platinum–Cobalt Alloy Catalyst for Oxygen Reduction

A high-efficiency oxygen reduction catalyst (PtCo/C@NC-700) was obtained by loading PtCo nanoparticles (NPs) on a nitrogen–carbon shell-coated carbon support (C@NC-700). The support is prepared by carbonizing polyaniline-coated carbon black. On the one hand, it has the advantages of carbon black (excellent electrical conductivity, high specific surface area). On the other hand, the nitrogen–carbon shell has uniformly dispersed metal anchor sites, which effectively reduces the detachment of PtCo NPs from the carbon matrix and improves the activity and durability of the catalyst. Under acidic conditions, the mass activity (MA) of PtCo/C@NC-700 (0.53 A mgPt–1) is 4.8 times that of JM Pt/C (0.11 A mgPt–1). After 10,000 potential cycles, the MA of PtCo/C@NC-700 decreased by 19%, which is lower than that of JM Pt/C (36%). The core–shell N-doped carbon support assisted by conducting polymers is expected to further enhance the activity and stability of electrocatalysts in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs).