Dataset of "Activity-stability relationship in magnetron co-sputtered bimetallic catalysts for proton exchange membrane fuel cells"

In the present study, magnetron sputtered PtxM100-x (M = Co, Cu, Y; x = 25, 50, 75 and 100) bimetallic alloys were investigated as PEMFC cathodes.  Accurate composition control enabled a systematic study of the correlation between alloy composition, activity, and stability. The catalysts underwent thorough characterization, employing a diverse portfolio of characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The activity of all investigated alloys was tested directly in a fuel cell device, while stability was assessed through potentiodynamic cycling in a half-cell. The activity-stability index, considering experimental results for both activity and stability, was calculated and compared for all investigated catalysts. All alloys exhibited a volcano-type trend in activity-stability index as a function of the concentration of alloying element with peaks observed at Pt50Co50, Pt50Cu50 and Pt75Y25 for respective alloys, surpassing that of monometallic platinum. Overall, Pt50Co50 emerged as a catalyst with the highest activity-stability ratio.