Catalysts for oxygen reduction reactions and methods of synthesis thereof

Abstract

A method for synthesizing ternary metal alloy catalysts through solid-state synthesis and thermal diffusion is provided. The method includes forming binary metal alloys through solid-state synthesis, incorporating third metals through thermal diffusion, and annealing under reducing atmospheres to form ternary alloy nanoparticles. The resulting nanoparticles have core-shell structures with selective metal distribution and multiple intermetallic phases. Platinum-rare earth-transition metal systems are formed with enhanced catalytic activity for electrochemical applications. The synthesis approach enables controlled formation of ternary structures previously difficult to achieve through conventional methods, supporting applications in fuel cells and other electrochemical devices requiring improved catalyst performance and durability.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.