Ethanol Electro-Oxidation on PtSn/C-ATO Electrocatalysts

Author(s)

Ayoub, J. M. S. ^[1] ; De Souza, R. F. B. ^[1] ; Silva, J. C. M. ^[2] ; Piasentin, R. M. ^[1] ; Spinace, E. V. ^[1] ; Santos, M. C. ^[2] ; Neto, A. O. ^[1]

Affiliation

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

^[2] UFABC Univ Fed ABC, CCNH, LEMN, BR-09210170 Santo Andre, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: International Journal of Electrochemical Science; v. 7, n. 11, p. 11351-11362, NOV 2012.
• Web of Science Citations: 10

Abstract

PtSn/C-ATO electrocatalysts with different Pt:Sn atomic ratios (90:10, 70:30 and 50:50) were prepared in a single step by an alcohol-reduction process using H2PtCl6 center dot 6H(2)O and SnCl2 center dot 2H(2)O as metal sources and ethylene glycol as solvent and reducing agent and a physical mixture of carbon Vulcan XC72 (85 wt%) and Sb2O5 center dot SnO2 (15 wt%) as support (C-ATO). The obtained materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The catalytic activity for ethanol electro-oxidation in acid medium was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and chroamperometry and in single direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC). XRD analyses showed that Pt(fcc), SnO2, carbon and ATO phases coexist in the obtained materials. The electrochemical studies showed that PtSn/C-ATO electrocatalysts were more active for ethanol electro-oxidation than PtSn/C electrocatalyst. The experiments at 100 degrees C on a single DEFC showed that the power density of the cell using PtSn/C-ATO (90:10) was nearly 100% higher than the one obtained using PtSn/C (50:50). FTIR measurements showed that the addition of ATO to PtSn/C favors the formation of acetic acid as a product while for PtSn/C acetaldehyde was the principal product formed. (AU)

• 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: 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
• 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