Objective

To develop novel electrocatalysts that have higher oxygen reduction activity and durability than the state-of-the-art commercial Pt and Pt alloy catalysts.

Approach

• Design core-shell and advanced Pt alloy catalysts by optimizing the size, shape, composition and synthesis method
   
• Develop advanced Pt alloys by applying atomistic modeling to correlate the electronic properties and the catalytic activities

Impact

• Significantly reduce the cost of electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction and in turn help the widespread of fuel cell vehicles
   
• Greatly advance the understanding of the mechanisms underling the heterogeneous nucleation and growth of Pt and Pt alloys at the atomic level