Abstract One of the primary challenges in relation to phosphoric acid fuel cells is catalyst poisoning by phosphate anions that occurs at the interface between metal nanoparticles and the electrolyte. The strong adsorption of phosphate anions on the catalyst surface limits the active sites for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), significantly deteriorating fuel cell performance. Here, antipoisoning catalysts consisting of Pt‐based nanoparticles encapsulated in an ultrathin carbon shell that can be used as a molecular sieve layer are rationally designed. The pore structure of the carbon shells is systematically regulated at the atomic level by high‐temperature gas treatment, allowing O 2 molecules to selectively react on the active sites of the metal nanoparticles through the molecular sieves. Besides, the carbon shell, as a protective layer, effectively prevents metal dissolution from the catalyst during a long‐term operation. Consequently, the defect‐controlled carbon shell leads to outstanding ORR activity and durability of the hybrid catalyst even in phosphoric acid electrolytes.

A novel design concept of a three-dimensional graphene shell encapsulated cobalt nanostructure as a new route to tune the work function of graphene for enhanced ORR.

Abstract One of the primary challenges in relation to phosphoric acid fuel cells is catalyst poisoning by phosphate anions that occurs at the interface between metal nanoparticles and the electrolyte. The strong adsorption of phosphate anions on the catalyst surface limits the active sites for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), significantly deteriorating fuel cell performance. Here, antipoisoning catalysts consisting of Pt‐based nanoparticles encapsulated in an ultrathin carbon shell that can be used as a molecular sieve layer are rationally designed. The pore structure of the carbon shells is systematically regulated at the atomic level by high‐temperature gas treatment, allowing O 2 molecules to selectively react on the active sites of the metal nanoparticles through the molecular sieves. Besides, the carbon shell, as a protective layer, effectively prevents metal dissolution from the catalyst during a long‐term operation. Consequently, the defect‐controlled carbon shell leads to outstanding ORR activity and durability of the hybrid catalyst even in phosphoric acid electrolytes.

A novel design concept of a three-dimensional graphene shell encapsulated cobalt nanostructure as a new route to tune the work function of graphene for enhanced ORR.

The stability of Ru-based catalysts under harsh electrochemical conditions is a critical challenge limiting their practical application in energy conversion systems. In this study, Ru catalysts supported on ZrO2-x, CeO2-x, and ZrCeO2-x were synthesized via pyrolysis of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and systematically evaluated to elucidate the role of support interactions on catalytic performance and durability. Advanced characterization techniques, including HR-TEM, XRD, XPS, and EXAFS, revealed that Ru-ZrCeO2-x exhibited superior structural stability compared to Ru-ZrO2-x and Ru-CeO2-x, particularly under high-potential sweep (HPS) conditions. The incorporation of Ce into ZrO2-x was shown to stabilize oxygen vacancies and enhance the interaction between Ru catalyst and the support, thereby mitigating catalyst degradation. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations further confirmed that Ce doping decreases formation energy of the oxygen vacancy, providing a thermodynamically favorable environment for Ru stabilization. This work demonstrates the promise of ZrCeO2-x as a robust support material for Ru-based catalysts, advancing their potential for durable and efficient energy applications.

A double-layered Ir-based catalyst structure enables Pt-free PEMWE anodes by positioning porous rutile IrO 2 at the PTL interface, effectively mitigating TiO x -induced electron transport issues while retaining high OER activity at low PGM loading.

Abstract The stability of Ru‐based catalysts under harsh electrochemical conditions is a critical challenge limiting their practical application in energy conversion systems. In this study, Ru catalysts supported on ZrO 2‐x , CeO 2‐x , and ZrCeO 2‐x are synthesized via pyrolysis of metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) and systematically evaluated to elucidate the role of support interactions on catalytic performance and durability. Advanced characterization techniques, including HR‐TEM, XRD, XPS, and EXAFS, revealed that Ru‐ZrCeO 2‐x exhibited superior structural stability compared to Ru‐ZrO 2‐x and Ru‐CeO 2‐x , particularly under high‐potential sweep (HPS) conditions. The incorporation of Ce into ZrO 2‐x is shown to stabilize oxygen vacancies and enhance the interaction between Ru catalyst and the support, thereby mitigating catalyst degradation. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations further confirmed that Ce doping decreases formation energy of the oxygen vacancy, providing a thermodynamically favorable environment for Ru stabilization. This work demonstrates the promise of ZrCeO 2‐x as a robust support material for Ru‐based catalysts, advancing their potential for durable and efficient energy applications.