Oxygen reduction kinetics in low and medium temperature acid environment: correlation of water activation and surface properties in supported Pt and Pt alloy electrocatalysts

Kinetics of oxygen reduction reaction on supported Pt and several Pt alloy electrocatalysts (PtCo/C and PtFe/C) are investigated in terms of the effect of alloying on the initiation and extent of surface oxide formation. The results are discussed in the context of a PEM fuel cell operating in the low to medium temperature range (70-120 degree C) and humidity variation (100 to10 percent).