Platinum particles supported on mesoporous carbons: fabrication and electrocatalytic performance in methanol-tolerant oxygen-reduction reactions

Abstract

In this report, we describe the preparation and electrochemical characterization of a Pt electrocatalyst, which was synthesized from hexachloroplatinic acid, using the incipient wetness impregnation method. This carbon mesoporous materials (Pt-CMMs) electrocatalyst was used for catalyzing the oxidation of methanol and its oxygen-reduction reaction. The electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol was studied using linear-sweep voltammograms (LSV), polarization and chronoamperometric measurements. Phase characterizations and morphological analyses were performed using 3D excitation-emission fluorescent matrix (EEFM) spectroscopy, UV-Vis absorption measurements, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) techniques; the ESEM system was equipped with an energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The oxidation capacity measured using a LSV might explain the high activity exhibited by the Pt-CMM electrocatalysts in methanol-tolerant oxygen reduction, and the results demonstrated that the potential and current density of the main reaction peak of the Pt-CMMs electrocatalyst changed during the reaction. Moreover, EEFM spectroscopy and XRD were determined to be appropriate and effective methods for characterizing Pt clusters that enhance their intrinsic emission from Pt-CMMs electrocatalysts in electrocatalytic-treatment systems. Furthermore, the ESEM-EDS results showed that fresh Pt nanoparticles were highly dispersed on CMMs and featured a 20 nm diameter and a narrow particle-size distribution.

One Step Synthesis of a Gold/Ordered Mesoporous Carbon Composite Using a Hard Template Method for Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Methanol and Colorimetric Determination of Glutathione

“…In the present worldwide scenario, the extensive consumption and exhaustion of fossil fuels have led to develop an alternative route to mitigate the fuel combustion and hence reduce global warming. − Direct methanol fuel cell has drawn much attention as an alternative source of power for portable and vehicular applications . Thus, methanol for its simplicity, versatility, and high energy density, next to hydrogen, can be used as a source of fuel and has thus gained much popularity for its energy conversion efficiency along with low pollution emissions. , Now to utilize it as a fuel source, the situation demands the fabrication of an electrocatalyst which can effectively oxidize methanol. Use of noble metals like platinum and palladium on a carbon template for the electro-oxidation of methanol is widely exploited. − However, Pt- or Pd-based catalysts often exhibit “catalyst poisoning effects” due to the strong adsorption of CO produced in intermediate steps .…”

“…16 Thus, methanol for its simplicity, versatility, and high energy density, next to hydrogen, can be used as a source of fuel and has thus gained much popularity for its energy conversion efficiency along with low pollution emissions. 17,18 Now to utilize it as a fuel source, the situation demands the fabrication of an electrocatalyst which can effectively oxidize methanol. Use of noble metals like platinum and palladium on a carbon template for the electro-oxidation of methanol is widely exploited.…”

Enhanced electrocatalytic activities of three dimensional PtCu@Pt bimetallic alloy nanofoams for oxygen reduction reaction

“…In this process, the ORR was controlled by diffusion at potentials below 0.6 V. Between 0.6 and 1.1 V, it was a mixed kinetic-diffusion controlled region. 38 It reveals that the Pt 62 Cu 38 BANFs exhibited the best electrocatalytic activities for ORR. In detail, the onset potentials for the Pt 62 Cu 38 BANFs and commercial Pt/C catalyst are 0.967 V and 0.917 V, respectively.…”

Electrochemical oxidation of ordered mesoporous carbons and the influence of graphitization

“…polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, PEMFC and direct alcohol fuel cells, DAFC). Their large surface area and ordered structure facilitate the dispersion of the active phase for OMC-supported Pt-based nanoparticles, thus favoring the performance of these electrochemical devices [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. Open-frame porous carbons obtained by the sacrificial methodology from silica templates have also been recently investigated as a hosting structure for metal-nitrogen-carbon coordinates to be applied as platinum-free catalysts [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26].…”