Catalytic enhancement of formic acid electro-oxidation through surface modifications with gold on supported Pt nanoparticles

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 44; no. 3; pp. 1967 - 1972
• Main Authors: Cappellari, Paula S., Baena-Moncada, Angélica M., Coneo-Rodríguez, Rusbel, Moreno, M. Sergio, Barbero, Cesar A., Planes, Gabriel A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 15.01.2019
• Subjects: Formic acid electro-oxidation; Hierarchical porous carbon; Low temperature polymeric electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC); PtAu catalysts; PtAu catalysts; Low temperature polymeric electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC); Hierarchical porous carbon; Formic acid electro-oxidation
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.11.138

The Formic Acid Electro-oxidation (FAEO) on Pt/Au Nanoparticles (PtAu NP) supported on Hierarchical Porous Carbon (HPC), was studied by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The supported HPC-Pt nanoparticles were surface modified by Au spontaneous deposits. The morphological and compositional characterization was performed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled with Electron Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). A significant increase of the current densities for FAEO in the potential region 0.1–0.75 VRHE was observed on HPC-PtAu catalysts. The comparison with HPC-Pt electrodes results show that Au atoms presence on Pt nanoparticles is a key factor to improve the catalysts performance. Based on our results, a clear change in FAEO mechanism on HPC-PtAu catalysts with respect to HPC-Pt was evidenced. [Display omitted] •Pt NP supported on Hierarchical Porous Carbon were modified by Au spontaneous deposits.•HPC-PtAu show enhanced activity for Formic Acid Electro-Oxidation (FAEO).•A clear change in the FAEO mechanism on HPC-PtAu is manifest.•Higher current transients in FAEO on HPC-PtAu catalysts are observed.