Structural and electrochemical characterization of carbon supported Pt-Pr catalysts for direct ethanol fuel cells prepared using a modified formic acid method in a CO atmosphere

Author(s)

Corradini, Patricia Gon ^[1] ; Antolini, Ermete ^[2] ; Perez, Joelma ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Quim Sao Carlos, BR-13560970 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Scuola Sci Mat, I-16016 Genoa - Italy

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics; v. 15, n. 28, p. 11730-11739, 2013.
• Web of Science Citations: 13

Abstract

Pt-Pr/C electrocatalysts were prepared using a modified formic acid method, and their activity for carbon monoxide and ethanol oxidation was compared to Pt/C. No appreciable alloy formation was detected by XRD analysis. By TEM measurements it was found that Pt particle size increases with an increasing Pr content in the catalysts and with decreasing metal precursor addition time. XPS measurements indicated Pt segregation on the catalyst surface and the presence of Pr2O3 and PrO2 oxides. The addition of Pr increased the electro-catalytic activity of Pt for both CO and CH3CH2OH oxidation. The enhanced activity of Pt-Pr/C catalysts was ascribed to both an electronic effect, caused by the presence of Pr2O3, and the bi-functional mechanism, caused by the presence of PrO2. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/20045-0 - Fuel cells: contributions to the development of catalysts and to the understanding of scaling up problems
• Grantee: Joelma Perez
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants