PtSnIr/C Anode Electrocatalysts: Promoting Effect in Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells

Author(s)

Silva, Julio C. M. ^[1] ; De Souza, Rodrigo F. B. ^[1] ; Romano, Mayara A. ^[1] ; D'Villa-Silva, Melina ^[1] ; Calegaro, Marcelo L. ^[2] ; Hammer, Peter ^[3] ; Neto, Almir O. ^[4] ; Santos, Mauro C. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed ABC, Lab Eletroquim & Mat Nanoestruturados, Ctr Ciencias Nat & Humanas, BR-09210170 Santo Andre, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Quim Sao Carlos, Grp Mat Eletroquim & Metodos Eletroanalit, BR-13566590 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Estadual Sao Paulo, Inst Quim, BR-14800060 Araraquara, SP - Brazil

^[4] Inst Pesquisas Energet & Nucl Comissao Nacl Energ, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society; v. 23, n. 6, p. 1146-1153, JUN 2012.
• Web of Science Citations: 12

Abstract

This study investigates the promoting effect of PtSnIr/C (1:1:1) electrocatalyst anode, prepared by polymeric precursor method, on the ethanol oxidation reaction in a direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC). All of the materials used were 20% metal m/m on carbon. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis showed the presence of Pt, PtOH2, PtO2, SnO2 and IrO2 at the electrocatalyst surface, indicating a possible decorated particle structure. X-ray diffractometry (XRD) analysis indicated metallic Pt and Ir as well as the formation of an alloy with Sn. Using the PtSnIr/C electrocatalyst prepared here with two times lower loading of Pt than PtSn/C E-tek electrocatalyst, it was possible to obtain the same maximum power density found for the commercial material. The main reaction product was acetic acid probably due to the presence of oxides, in this point the bifunctional mechanism is predominant, but an electronic effect should not be discarded. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/09145-6 - Study of ethanol electrochemical oxidation mechanism on PtSn, PtCe and PtSnCe using in-situ spectroscopic techniques
• Grantee: Rodrigo Fernando Brambilla de Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 10/16511-6 - Energy generation from biofuel using nanostructures
• Grantee: Mauro Coelho dos Santos
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 10/07831-7 - Synthesis and characterization of PtSn/C, PtIr/C and PtSnIr for the study of the mechanism of ethanol electrochemical oxidation using spectroscopic in situ techniques
• Grantee: Júlio César Martins da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate