Pd-Pt nanoparticles combined with ceria nanorods for application in oxygen reduction reactions in alkaline direct ethanol fuel cell cathodes

Author(s)

Pinheiro, Victor S. ; Souza, Felipe M. ; Gentil, Tuani C. ; Nascimento, Aline N. ; Parreira, Luanna S. ; Sairre, Mirela, I ; Batista, Bruno L. ; Santos, Mauro C.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Alloys and Compounds; v. 899, p. 14-pg., 2022-04-05.

Abstract

Fuel cells are important energy conversion devices. However, challenges in this regard are still noted, such as low electrocatalyst efficiencies in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), which occurs slowly in electrocatalyst cathodes. In this sense, this study aimed to synthetize hybrid binary and ternary electrocatalysts formed by palladium and platinum alloy nanoparticles and ceria nanorods (CeO2 NR) supported on carbon black Vulcan XC-72 (PdxPty/Vn and (Pd3Pt1)(x)(CeO2 NR)(y)(Vn)(z)) for the study of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and application as alkaline direct ethanol fuel cells (ADEFCs) cathodes. The binary and ternary hybrid electrocatalysts were characterized using different physicochemical and electrochemical techniques. The ternary hybrid electrocatalyst, (Pd3Pt1)(15)(CeO2 NR)(10)(Vn)(75), reached higher open circuit voltage (OCV), maximum current and power densities, of 1.13 V, 219 mA cm(-2) and 61 mW cm(-2), respectively, compared to the commercial Pt/C Alfa Aesar (AA) and other evaluated electrocatalysts. The ternary hybrid electrocatalyst, (Pd3Pt1)(15)(CeO2 NR)(10)(Vn)(75), is interesting for application as an ADEFC cathode targeting the ORR, due to an almost 3-fold maximum power density and almost twice the maximum current density compared to a commercial electrocatalyst with the same noble metal loading, explained by increased defects and oxygenated species in this electrocatalyst as revealed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Raman analyses. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/10314-8 - Nanostructures for Phenol, Ciprofloxacin and 17±-ethinylestradiol Degradation
• Grantee: Mauro Coelho dos Santos
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• 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 Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/14100-0 - Sodium niobate electrodes decorated with WO3 and CeO2 for degradation of the organophosphate pesticide acephate by advanced oxidative electrochemical processes
• Grantee: Felipe de Moura Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• 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 Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 18/18675-8 - Nanostructured electrocatalysts based on PT, PD and oxides of low cost for applications in energy and environment
• Grantee: Tuani Carla Gentil
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 17/22976-0 - Development of palladium and niobium nanoelectrocatalysts for alkaline direct ethanol fuel cells
• Grantee: Felipe de Moura Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 17/21846-6 - Nanostructures for environmental remediation and power generation from renewable sources
• Grantee: Mauro Coelho dos Santos
• Support Opportunities: Program for Research on Bioenergy (BIOEN) - Regular Program Grants