Preparation of PtSnRh/C-Sb2O5·SnO2 electrocatalysts by an alcohol reduction process for direct ethanol fuel cell

• Published in: Ionics Vol. 18; no. 8; pp. 781 - 786
• Main Authors: Castro, J. C., Antoniassi, R. M., Dias, R. R., Linardi, M., Spinacé, E. V., Neto, A. Oliveira
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.09.2012
• Subjects: Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Condensed Matter Physics; Electrochemistry; Energy Storage; Optical and Electronic Materials; Renewable and Green Energy; Short Communication; Alcohol reduction process; Ethanol electro-oxidation; SnO; Fuel cells; PtSnRh/C-Sb; O
• ISSN: 0947-7047; 1862-0760
• DOI: 10.1007/s11581-012-0747-3

PtSnRh/C-Sb 2 O 5 ·SnO 2 electrocatalysts with different Pt/Sn/Rh atomic ratios (90:05:05, 70:25:05, and 50:45:05) were prepared by an alcohol reduction process using H 2 PtCl 6 ·6H 2 O, SnCl 2 ·2H 2 O, RhCl 3 ·xH 2 O as metal sources, ethylene glycol as solvent and reducing agent, and a physical mixture of Vulcan XC72 (85 wt%) and Sb 2 O 5 ·SnO 2 (15 wt%) as support. The electrocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The electro-oxidation of ethanol was studied by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry at 25 and 50 °C and in single direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) at 100 °C. The diffractograms of PtSnRh/C-Sb 2 O 5 ·SnO 2 electrocatalysts showed the peaks characteristic of Pt face-centered cubic structure and several others peaks associated with ·SnO 2 and Sb 2 O 5 ·SnO 2 . Transmission electron micrographs of PtSnRh/C-Sb 2 O 5 ·SnO 2 electrocatalysts showed the metal nanoparticles distributed on the supports with particle sizes of about 2–3 nm. The electrochemical measurements and the experiments in a single DEFC showed that PtSnRh/C-Sb 2 O 5 ·SnO 2 (90:05:05) and PtSnRh/C-Sb 2 O 5 ·SnO 2 (70:25:05) electrocatalysts exhibited higher performance for ethanol oxidation in comparison with PtSnRh/C electrocatalyst.