A general protocol for the synthesis of Pt–Sn/C catalysts for ethanol electrooxidation by the polyol method is developed after a systematic variation of the preparation variables. This protocol enables the complete transfer of all catalytic elements in the preparation solution to the catalyst support; thereby providing a convenient means of catalyst composition control. Water is a necessary co‐solvent for ethylene glycol in the polyol synthesis of Pt–Sn/C catalysts. The best preparation medium for controlling the particle size to small sizes is 0.1 M NaOH solution in a mixture of equal volumes of water and ethylene glycol. With this medium composition Pt–Sn/C catalysts with the optimized target Pt:Sn atomic ratio of 3:1 could be expeditiously prepared for ethanol electrooxidation.

Alcohols, and methanol in particular, have been investigated as potential fuels for use in direct fuel cells for mobile applications. However, the fuel cell community is now turning its attention to ethanol as the fuel of choice because of benefits such as renewability and low fuel toxicity. Nonetheless, the direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) has several technological problems that are more tenacious than the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). Among them, the slow anode kinetics presents the greatest challenge since it results in poor fuel cell performance in applications. Current anode catalysts, which are primarily an extension of the DMFC anode catalysts, do not prove to be very effective in delivering high current densities or sufficiently high conversions. Thus, there is a need to modify existing catalysts or to develop new catalysts that are able to oxidize ethanol molecules more effectively and more completely. This article provides a succinct account of the various catalysts currently in use at the anode and cathode of a DEFC, with emphasis on the anode catalysts used in an acidic environment, which require the most improvement. The use of cocatalysts, promoters, and catalyst support as well as catalysts used for ethanol oxidation in alkaline media are also briefly discussed.

Alcohols, and methanol in particular, have been investigated as potential fuels for use in direct fuel cells for mobile applications. However, the fuel cell community is now turning its attention to ethanol as the fuel of choice because of benefits such as renewability and low fuel toxicity. Nonetheless, the direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) has several technological problems that are more tenacious than the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). Among them, the slow anode kinetics presents the greatest challenge since it results in poor fuel cell performance in applications. Current anode catalysts, which are primarily an extension of the DMFC anode catalysts, do not prove to be very effective in delivering high current densities or sufficiently high conversions. Thus, there is a need to modify existing catalysts or to develop new catalysts that are able to oxidize ethanol molecules more effectively and more completely. This article provides a succinct account of the various catalysts currently in use at the anode and cathode of a DEFC, with emphasis on the anode catalysts used in an acidic environment, which require the most improvement. The use of cocatalysts, promoters, and catalyst support as well as catalysts used for ethanol oxidation in alkaline media are also briefly discussed.