Platinum nanoparticle stability promotion in PEMFC via metal oxide addition: A comparative study between GDE and MEA

Pt catalysts are essential to Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells, but their high cost and limited durability under operational conditions present significant barriers to commercialization. This study explores the enhancement of Pt catalyst stability through the addition of metal oxides, specifically CeO2 and ZrO2, synthesized via a thermal one-pot method. The impact of these metal oxides on Pt stability and performance was evaluated using both a Gas Diffusion Electrode (GDE) half-cell and a Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) through a fuel cell (FC) test bench, demonstrating the high reliability of the GDE approach. Key findings revealed that the improved oxygen transport after oxidative stress testing highlights the scavenging effect of the CeO2, primarily through increased resistance to carbon corrosion, leading to superior catalyst stability. This study deepens the understanding of the role of CeO2 in enhancing Pt durability, provides a direct comparison with ZrO2, and validates the GDE setup as a robust method for preliminary durability testing in PEMFC research.