Insight towards kinetics and stability of carbon supported Pd–Y2O3 as cathode catalyst for polymer electrolyte fuel cells.

Pd–Y 2 O 3 on carbon (Pd–Y 2 O 3 /C) in different mass ratios of Pd to Y 2 O 3 (1:1, 2:1, 3:1) were prepared and subjected as cathode electrocatalyst for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to determine the structure, crystalline size and dispersion of Pd–Y 2 O 3 /C respectively. The electrochemical characterizations of the electrocatalysts were evaluated from Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) and Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV). These electrocatalysts were evaluated for their catalytic activity towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cell. Pd 2 –Y 2 O 3 /C catalyst shows higher power density of 325 mW cm−2 than Pd 1 –Y 2 O 3 /C, Pd 3 –Y 2 O 3 /C and Pd/C. • Various atomic ratios of Pd–Y 2 O 3 /C prepared and evaluated as ORR catalyst for PEFC. • Pd 2 –Y 2 O 3 /C as a cathode catalyst shows high peak power density of 325 mW cm−2. • Pd 2 –Y 2 O 3 /C exhibits higher ORR activity due to SMSI effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]