An optimization study of PtSn/C catalysts applied to direct ethanol fuel cell: Effect of the preparation method on the electrocatalytic activity of the catalysts

Autor(es)

Almeida, T. S. ^[1] ; Palma, L. M. ^[1] ; Leonello, P. H. ^[1] ; Morais, C. ^[2] ; Kokoh, K. B. ^[2] ; De Andrade, A. R. ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Filosofia Ciencias & Letras Ribeirao Preto, Dept Quim, BR-14040901 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Poitiers, IC2MP UMR CNRS 7285, Equipe E Lyse, F-86022 Poitiers - France

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Journal of Power Sources; v. 215, p. 53-62, OCT 1 2012.
• Citações Web of Science: 52

Resumo

The aim of this work was to perform a systematic study of the parameters that can influence the composition, morphology, and catalytic activity of PtSn/C nanoparticles and compare two different methods of nanocatalyst preparation, namely microwave-assisted heating (MW) and thermal decomposition of polymeric precursors (DPP). An investigation of the effects of the reducing and stabilizing agents on the catalytic activity and morphology of Pt75Sn25/C catalysts prepared by microwave-assisted heating was undertaken for optimization purposes. The effect of short-chain alcohols such as ethanol, ethylene glycol, and propylene glycol as reducing agents was evaluated, and the use of sodium acetate and citric acid as stabilizing agents for the MW procedure was examined. Catalysts obtained from propylene glycol displayed higher catalytic activity compared with catalysts prepared in ethylene glycol. Introduction of sodium acetate enhanced the catalytic activity, but this beneficial effect was observed until a critical acetate concentration was reached. Optimization of the MW synthesis allowed for the preparation of highly dispersed catalysts with average sizes lying between 2.0 and 5.0 nm. Comparison of the best catalyst prepared by MW with a catalyst of similar composition prepared by the polymeric precursors method showed that the catalytic activity of the material can be improved when a proper condition for catalyst preparation is achieved. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 09/15034-2 - Preparação, caracterização e estudos eletroquímicos de catalisadores PtSnX (X = Ni, PD, Rh e W) para eletro-oxidação de etanol e aplicação em célula a combustível de etanol direto (DEFC)
• Beneficiário: Thiago dos Santos Almeida
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado Direto