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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

New understandings of ethanol oxidation reaction mechanism on Pd/C and Pd2Ru/C catalysts in alkaline direct ethanol fuel cells

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Author(s):
Guo, Junsong [1] ; Chen, Rongrong [2] ; Zhu, Fu-hun [3] ; Sun, Shi-Gang [3] ; Villullas, Hebe M. [4]
Total Authors: 5
Affiliation:
[1] Indiana Univ Purdue Univ, Richard G Lugar Ctr Renewable Energy, Indianapolis, IN 46202 - USA
[2] Univ Toledo, Dept Chem Engn, Toledo, OH 43606 - USA
[3] Xiamen Univ, Coll Chem & Chem Engn, Sch Energy Res, State Key Lab Phys Chem Solid Surfaces, Dept Chem, Xiamen 361005 - Peoples R China
[4] Univ Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Inst Quim, BR-14800900 Araraquara, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 4
Document type: Journal article
Source: APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL; v. 224, p. 602-611, MAY 2018.
Web of Science Citations: 36
Abstract

Ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) on Pd2Ru/C and Pd/C catalysts in alkaline media is studied comprehensively by cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, in situ FTIR, single fuel cell test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements. The results show that, as compared to Pd/C, Pd2Ru/C favors acetaldehyde formation and hinders its oxidation. Based on X-ray absorption data, which evidence that Ru promotes a larger electronic vacancy of the Pd 4d band, it is expected that the formation of adsorbed ethoxy is favored on Pd-2 Ru/C and followed by its oxidation to acetaldehyde facilitated by oxygenated species provided by Ru. In contrast, acetaldehyde oxidation is more difficult on Pd2Ru/C than on Pd/C likely because the adsorption energy of the reactive species is increased. We also show that the performance of Pd2Ru/C anode in alkaline direct ethanol fuel cell (ADEFC) is initially better but degrades much more rapidly than that with Pd/C anode under the same test conditions. The degradation is demonstrated to result from the accumulation of large amounts of acetaldehyde, which in alkaline media forms dimers by the aldol condensation reaction. The dimers tend to be responsible for blocking the active sites for further ethanol oxidation. This comprehensive study provides new understandings of the roles of Ru in Pd2Ru/C for EOR in alkaline media, unveils the causes of the performance degradation of fuel cells with Pd2Ru/C and demonstrates that initial good performances are not necessarily a valid criterion for selecting appropriate anode catalysts for ADEFC applications. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 13/50206-4 - The development of multifunctional catalysts to replace Pt for fuel oxidation reactions in low temperature fuel cells toward environmentally friendly energy production
Grantee:Hebe de las Mercedes Villullas
Support Opportunities: Program for Research on Bioenergy (BIOEN) - Regular Program Grants
FAPESP's process: 14/12255-6 - Catalysis-nanostructure-properties relations: establishing basis for the design of multifunctional catalysts
Grantee:Hebe de las Mercedes Villullas
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants