Addition of CeO2 Nanorods in PtSn-Based Electrocatalysts for Ethanol Electrochemical Oxidation in Acid Medium

Author(s)

Gentil, Tuani C. ^[1] ; Pinheiro, Victor S. ^[1] ; Paz, Edson C. ^[1] ; Souza, Felipe M. ^[1] ; Parreira, Luanna S. ^[2] ; Santos, Mauro C. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Abc, CCNH, Lab Eletroquim & Mat Nanoestruturados, BR-09210170 Santo Andre, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Quim, Av Prof Lineu Prestes 748, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society; v. 30, n. 8, p. 1634-1646, AUG 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

This work describes the preparation of Pt/C, PtxSny/C and PtxSny(CeO2 nanorods/C) nanoparticle catalysts synthesized by the chemical reduction method via sodium borohydride for the ethanol oxidation reaction. Using X-ray diffractogram analysis, it was verified that no alloy formation occurred between platinum (Pt) and tin (Sn). The distribution of the nanoparticles in the support occurs in a more agglomerated form for the materials containing Sn and CeO2 nanorods (NR). The electrocatalyst Pt3Sn1\_20%NRCeO2/C was highlighted in CO-stripping experiments because it showed the lowest onset potential for CO oxidation and the highest value for the electrochemically active surface area. The other electrochemical experiments for ethanol oxidation showed similar activities for the Pt3Sn1/C and Pt3Sn1\_20%NRCeO2/C electrocatalysts. The observed effect can be associated with defects in the structure of the CeO2 nanorods, the electrochemical active surface area, and the properties of the CeO2 nanorods related to enhancing the generation of oxy-hydroxy species at lower potentials compared to PtSn/C electrocatalysts, which increased the CO oxidation as measured using stripping experiments. For this reason, it is possible to both use less platinum and to obtain behavior close to that of PtSn/C electrocatalysts for ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR). (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/26288-1 - Hybrid electrocatalysts based on Pd, Pt and Sn nanoparticles, and on ceria nanorods for application in fuel cells
• Grantee: Victor dos Santos Pinheiro
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 17/21846-6 - Nanostructures for environmental remediation and power generation from renewable sources
• Grantee: Mauro Coelho dos Santos
• Support type: Program for Research on Bioenergy (BIOEN) - Regular Program Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/22976-0 - Development of palladium and niobium nanoelectrocatalysts for alkaline direct ethanol fuel cells
• Grantee: Felipe de Moura Souza
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 17/10118-0 - Study and application of electrochemical technology for the analysis and degradation of endocrine interferents: materials, sensors, processes and scientific dissemination
• Grantee: Marcos Roberto de Vasconcelos Lanza
• Support type: Research Projects - Thematic Grants