Modified catalytic materials for ethanol oxidation

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 35; no. 11; pp. 5999 - 6004
• Main Authors: Bonesi, A.R., Moreno, M.S., Triaca, W.E., Luna, A.M. Castro
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Alternative fuels. Production and utilization; Applied sciences; C (programming language); Catalysis; Catalysts; Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; Energy; Ethanol; Ethanol oxidation; Ethyl alcohol; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; Hydrogen; Nickel; Oxidation; Platinum; Tin; Vulcan chemically treated; Ethanol oxidation; Vulcan chemically treated; Tin; Nickel; Platinum; Measurement; Ethanol; Hydrogen; Desorption; Supported catalyst; Chemical reduction; Cyclic voltammetry; Transmission electron microscopy; Photoelectron spectrometry; Oxidation; X ray diffractometry; Impedance; Catalyst activity; Fuel cell; Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2009.12.093

Pt-Sn-Ni/C and the Pt-Sn/C supported catalysts with potential application in a direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) were prepared by a chemical reduction method. The Vulcan XC-72R (Vu) used as carbon support was chemically treated with concentrated HNO 3 (Vu t) and then analyzed by thermal programmed desorption (TPD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The catalyst particles were characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements were performed by using a glassy carbon working electrode covered with the catalyst powder in a 1M ethanol + 0.5M H 2SO 4 solution at 60 °C. EIS shows that ethanol oxidation (EO) on the Pt-Sn-Ni/Vu t catalyst at various potentials exhibits different impedance behaviors. The catalytic activity of the Pt-Sn-Ni/Vu t catalyst for EO is higher than that of the Pt-Sn/Vu t catalyst.