PHOSPHATE-RESISTANT CATALYST MATERIAL HAVING OPTIMUM SURFACE MODIFICATION AND METHOD OF MITIGATING PHOSPHATE POISONING IN A FUEL CELL

Disclosed is a surface-modified catalyst material comprising platinum-containing nanoparticles on a carbon support; and a phosphate-resistant surface-modifying additive comprising poly (melamine-co-formaldehyde) (PMF); formed on a surface of the platinum-containing nanoparticles to form surface-modified catalyst nanoparticles. The surface-modifying additive covers between 10 and 40% of the surface of the surface-modified catalyst nanoparticles. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells and methods of mitigating phosphate poisoning are also disclosed.