Carbon supported electrocatalysts prepared by the sol-gel method and their utilization for the oxidation of methanol in acid media

Author(s)

Suffredini, Hugo B. ^[1] ; Salazar-Banda, Giancarlo R. ^[2] ; Avaca, Luis A. ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed ABC, Ctr Ciencias Nat & Humanas, BR-09090400 Santo Andre, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Quim Sao Carlos, BR-13560970 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology; v. 49, n. 2, p. 131-136, FEB 2009.
• Web of Science Citations: 15

Abstract

One of the key objectives in fuel-cell technology is to improve the performance of the anode catalyst for the alcohol oxidation and reduce Pt loading. Here, we show the use of six different electrocatalysts synthesized by the sol -gel method on carbon powder to promote the oxidation of methanol in acid media. The catalysts Pt-PbO(x) and Pt-(RuO(2)-PbO(x)) with 10% of catalyst load exhibited significantly enhanced catalytic activity toward the methanol oxidation reaction as compared to Pt-(RuO(2))/C and Pt/C electrodes. Cyclic voltammetry studies showed that the electrocatalysts Pt-PbO(x)/C and Pt-(RuO(2)-PbO(x))/C started the oxidation process at extremely low potentials and that they represent a good novelty to oxidize methanol. Furthermore, quasi-stationary polarization experiments and cronoamperometry studies showed the good performance of the Pt-PbO(x), Pt-(RuO(2)-PbO(x))/C and Pt-(RuO(2)-IrO(2))/C catalysts during the oxidation process. Thus, the addition of metallic Pt and PbO(x) onto high-area carbon powder, by the sol -gel route, constitutes an interesting way to prepare anodes with high catalytic activity for further applications in direct methanol fuel cell systems. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 07/05155-1 - Preparation and use of heterogeneous catalysts by the sol-gel method for electrocatalysis and biodiesel synthesis
• Grantee: Hugo Barbosa Suffredini
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants