Encapsulated Nanoporous Metal Nanoparticle Catalysts

A fuel cell, comprising:

• a first electrode;
• a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode;
• and
• an electrolyte arranged between the first and the second electrodes,
• wherein at least one of the first and second electrodes is coated with a porous metal nanoparticle capable of catalyzing a plurality of reactants to provide a reaction product;
• wherein the porous metal nanoparticle is encapsulated by a reaction-enhancing material;
• wherein the reaction-enhancing material enhances attraction of at least one reactant of the plurality of reactants into one or more pores defined by the porous metal catalyst;
• and
• wherein the reaction-enhancing material enhances expulsion of the reaction product from the one or more pores defined by the porous metal catalyst.

A method for preparing an encapsulated porous metal nanoparticle catalyst, the method comprising:

• providing a metal alloy nanoparticle;
• supporting the metal alloy nanoparticle on a conductive carbon support;
• electrochemically de-alloying the metal alloy to provide a porous metal catalyst that catalyzes a plurality of reactants to provide a reaction product;
• and
• encapsulating the porous metal nanoparticles with a reaction-enhancing material such that the reaction-enhancing material encapsulates partially or entirely the porous metal nanoparticle catalyst,
• wherein the reaction-enhancing material enhances attraction of at least one reactant of the plurality of reactants into the pores defined by the porous metal catalyst, and
• wherein the reaction-enhancing material enhances expulsion of the reaction product from the pores defined by the porous metal catalyst.