Preparation of PtSnRh/C-Sb2O5 center dot SnO2 electrocatalysts by an alcohol reduction process for direct ethanol fuel cell

Author(s)

Castro, J. C. ^[1] ; Antoniassi, R. M. ^[1] ; Dias, R. R. ^[1] ; Linardi, M. ^[1] ; Spinace, E. V. ^[1] ; Oliveira Neto, A. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Inst Pesquisas Energet & Nucl IPEN CNEN SP, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: IONICS; v. 18, n. 8, p. 781-786, SEP 2012.
• Web of Science Citations: 7

Abstract

PtSnRh/C-Sb2O5 center dot SnO2 electrocatalysts with different Pt/Sn/Rh atomic ratios (90:05:05, 70:25:05, and 50:45:05) were prepared by an alcohol reduction process using H2PtCl6 center dot 6H(2)O, SnCl2 center dot 2H(2)O, RhCl3 center dot xH(2)O as metal sources, ethylene glycol as solvent and reducing agent, and a physical mixture of Vulcan XC72 (85 wt%) and Sb2O5 center dot SnO2 (15 wt%) as support. The electrocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The electro-oxidation of ethanol was studied by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry at 25 and 50 A degrees C and in single direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) at 100 A degrees C. The diffractograms of PtSnRh/C-Sb2O5 center dot SnO2 electrocatalysts showed the peaks characteristic of Pt face-centered cubic structure and several others peaks associated with center dot SnO2 and Sb2O5 center dot SnO2. Transmission electron micrographs of PtSnRh/C-Sb2O5 center dot SnO2 electrocatalysts showed the metal nanoparticles distributed on the supports with particle sizes of about 2-3 nm. The electrochemical measurements and the experiments in a single DEFC showed that PtSnRh/C-Sb2O5 center dot SnO2 (90:05:05) and PtSnRh/C-Sb2O5 center dot SnO2 (70:25:05) electrocatalysts exhibited higher performance for ethanol oxidation in comparison with PtSnRh/C electrocatalyst. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/18246-0 - Preparation of PD binary and ternary electrocatalysts by borohydride reduction for alcohol electro-oxidation in alkaline medium
• Grantee: Almir Oliveira Neto
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants