Supported platinum alloy electrocatalyst

Abstract

A supported platinum alloy electrocatalyst for an acid electrolyte fuel cell, said electrocatalyst consisting essentially of an electrically conductive powdery carbon carrier and dispersed in, and deposited on, the carrier, an ordered platinum-iron-copper ternary alloy comprising 40 to 60 atomic percent of platinum, 13 to 40 atomic percent of iron and 13 to 40 atomic percent of copper. The electrocatalyst has much better initial activity and lifetime than conventional platinum alone or multi-components alloy electrocatalysts. A process for producing the supported platinum alloy electrocatalyst which comprises depositing copper on a previously formed platinum-iron supported binary ordered alloy, again subjecting the product to an alloying treatment, or depositing iron on the platinum-copper supported binary alloy and then again subjecting the product to an alloying treatment. An electrode for an acid electrolyte fuel cell having an excellent output performance and a long operating life is also provided which comprises the above supported platinum alloy electrocatalyst and a water-repellent binder which are bonded to an electrically conductive and acid-resistant supporting member.