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The commercialisation of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) has been hampered by the high cost of platinum metal. Due to its high durability and catalytic activity, platinum is widely used to catalyse the oxygen reduction and hydrogen oxidation reactions essential to the operation of these cells. Core@shell nanoparticles with thin layers of platinum deposited on cores composed of cheaper materials have offered an attractive route towards the reduction of overall loading of platinum, with the retention of active catalyst surface area. This review surveys approaches taken to prepare idealised active and durable core@shell nanocatalysts by tweaking core compositions. A critical reflection on the current status of the field, as well as predictions as to likely directions for future developments, are discussed as a conclusion to the review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A Pt/C electrocatalyst was prepared from colloidal Pt nanoparticles stabilised by Nafion. This electrocatalyst was found to exhibit negligible degradation under a potential cycling regime conducted on a model thin-film catalyst layer in a 3-electrode cell set-up, in which an E-Tek Pt/C commercial catalyst showed a 23% loss of specific electrochemical surface area (SECSA). The enhanced durability of the Nafion-derived is thought to arise from the protection of Pt particles against dissolution and sintering by the surrounding Nafion layer. The use of the ionomer phase as a protective agent in the catalyst layer presents a novel strategy for the production of more durable Pt/C catalysts for the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC), which currently presents a significant challenge for the commercialisation of this technology. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]