{
  "id": 10906594,
  "title": "Exploring efficiency and durability in fuel cell catalysts",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/exploring-efficiency-and-durability-in-fuel-cell-catalysts",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-30T09:04:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Physics World",
    "slug": "physics-world",
    "url": "https://physicsworld.com/a/exploring-efficiency-and-durability-in-fuel-cell-catalysts/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Hydrogen fuel cells represent an important low-carbon technology for vehicles, backup power systems and other applications. During operation, these cells rely on a process called the oxygen reduction reaction, which uses oxygen from the air to generate electricity and only water as a by-product. However, this reaction is relatively slow, limiting the overall performance of fuel cells.\n\nTo address this issue, researchers often employ platinum catalysts, which are highly effective at speeding up the oxygen reduction reaction. However, platinum is expensive and gradually degrades during use, making it necessary to explore ways to both improve catalyst performance and extend their lifetime.\n\nOne approach is to create platinum alloys by mixing platinum with a cheaper metal, which can enhance efficiency while reducing costs. In this study, researchers investigated two such alloys - platinum-copper (PtCu) and platinum-iron (PtFe) - and supported them on a two-dimensional material called MXene, similar to graphene. MXene helps to stabilize the nanoparticles, preventing the alloying metals from leaching out and losing activity over time.\n\nThe researchers found that the PtCu/MXene catalyst exhibited the highest catalytic activity, as the copper modified the platinum surface to improve oxygen reduction and accelerate the reaction. In contrast, the PtFe/MXene catalyst was less active but demonstrated greater durability, thanks to strong interactions between iron and MXene that helped to stabilize the catalyst during long-term operation.\n\nBy using in-situ X-ray spectroscopy to observe the catalysts during operation, the researchers were able to identify the structural and electronic changes responsible for their performance. This analysis provided insights into how alloy composition and catalyst supports influence activity and durability, ultimately offering a roadmap for developing improved catalysts for future fuel cells.",
  "summary": "Researchers have shown how platinum-copper and platinum-iron catalysts supported on MXene can improve fuel-cell performance and durability The post Exploring efficiency and durability in fuel cell catalysts appeared first on Physics World .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}