Operando time-resolved x-ray absorption fine structure study for surface events on a Pt₃Co/C cathode catalyst in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell during voltage-operating processes

The structural kinetics of surface events on a Pt₃Co/C cathode catalyst in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) was investigated by operando time-resolved X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) with a time resolution of 500 ms. The rate constants of electrochemical reactions, the changes in charge density on Pt, and the changes in the local coordination structures of the Pt₃Co alloy catalyst in the PEFC were successfully evaluated during fuel-cell voltage-operating processes. Significant time lags were observed between the electrochemical reactions and the structural changes in the Pt ₃Co alloy catalyst. The rate constants of all the surface events on the Pt₃Co/C catalyst were significantly higher than those on the Pt/C catalyst, suggesting the advantageous behaviors (cell performance and catalyst durability) on the Pt₃Co alloy cathode catalyst.