Platinum Catalysts

XT Platinum Black and Platinum on Carbon are platinum catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR), and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).

In a PEM fuel cell, platinum is used at the anode for hydrogen oxidation and at the cathode for oxygen reduction. In a PEM electrolyzer, it is used at the cathode for hydrogen evolution. Platinum black is the unsupported powder. Platinum on carbon disperses the metal on a high-surface-area conductive support, which raises platinum utilization and allows a lower loading in the electrode.

Platinum and platinum-alloy powders are also used in direct-alcohol fuel cells, alkaline and AEM cells, metal-air battery oxygen electrodes, electrochemical hydrogen pumps, unitized regenerative fuel cells, and sensors for oxygen, hydrogen, and hydrogen peroxide. The alloy and the support depend on the reaction. Supported alloys are used to change activity, adsorption, or tolerance to poisoning.