PtPdNi Catalysts Supported on Porous Carbon for Ethanol Electro‐oxidation

Abstract

In this work, we prepared four electrocatalysts based on trimetallic PtPdNi nanoparticles on different carbon supports, i. e., i) two activated carbons produced from biomass, ii) micromesoporous carbon synthesized by the nanocasting method, and iii) commercial carbon black. The electrocatalytic activity of the prepared materials was tested in the electro-oxidation of ethanol in alkaline medium. Well-distributed nanoparticles with sizes in the range of 3.5-5.2 nm were obtained through galvanic replacement. The bulk Pt, Pd and Ni contents were about 65, 25 and 15 at. %, measured by EDX and ICP-AES. By XPS the surface Pt : Pd atomic ratios were in the range of 1.82-2.2. Electrochemical experiments showed that the trimetallic nanoparticles deposited over micro-mesoporous carbon material exhibit the highest electrochemical activity towards ethanol electro-oxidation in alkaline medium. Results showed that both synthetic carbon and biomass-derived carbon are suitable materials to support electrocatalysts in low-temperature fuel cells.

Recent developments of nanocarbon based supports for PEMFCs electrocatalysts

“…6(d)). This is because in the case of liquid fuel (ethanol), the mass transfer process becomes more important and the effective contribution of the large support pore size to the catalyst activity gets more significant [79,80].…”

Dual Matrix Influence on Ni(II) Rich Hybrid Catalyst for Electrochemical Methanol Oxidation Reaction

“…Therefore, finding a suitable Ni‐based nanocatalyst that can exhibit MOR activity with current density and low onset potential is highly desirable. Apart from the metals, the heterogeneous support that controls the growth of the metal nanocatalyst also plays a pivotal role [23,36,37] . Our recent studies on the zeolite‐Y support nanocatalysts have provided a possible pathway to decorate finely distributed nanocatalyst of smaller dimension that can boosts the MOR process.…”

“…Apart from the metals, the heterogeneous support that controls the growth of the metal nanocatalyst also plays a pivotal role. [23,36,37] Our recent studies on the zeolite-Y support nanocatalysts have provided a possible pathway to decorate finely distributed nanocatalyst of smaller dimension that can boosts the MOR process. Zeolite has certain advantages like it can acts as hard template, provided a good particles distribution, provided a good surface area, provide an environment to improve the activity of metals towards CO oxidation and are stable at high temperature.…”

Overview on the Vital Step toward Addressing Platinum Catalyst Poisoning Mechanisms in Acid Media of Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells (DEFCs)

“…Currently, new catalysts are generally only assessed on the basis of their electrochemical performance (current and power vs potential), while their efficiency and emissions are neglected or only determined at ambient temperature. − There is a clear lack of information regarding ethanol electrooxidation reaction (EOR) mechanisms in DEFCs. − Therefore, more mechanistic studies should be geared to understanding how these electrode materials function in fuel cells. Cathodic and anodic materials must be optimized.…”

“…As is discussed later, platinum (Pt) is not practical for DEFCs because of its low electrochemical performance. Therefore, modifying Pt with other elements, such as Ru, Sn, Rh, Pd, Ni, Ir, Au, Ce, Sm, Ho, or Dy, have been investigated as highly CO ads -tolerant electrocatalysts for ethanol oxidation. ,,,,,,,− The synergistic effect of those developed anode materials can easily enhance the water dissociation at lower potentials to form OH ads that promote further oxidation of the strongly adsorbed CO on adjacent Pt atoms. ,, In addition, the Pt active sites could be protected from the poisonous hydroxides at higher potentials using the Pt-modified catalysts, since the dissociative adsorption of ethanol occurs mainly on Pt sites.…”