Decorating the carbon felt electrode with polymeric platinize nanocomposite: characterization and electrocatalytic activity towards methanol oxidation reaction

A high-performance Pt-based catalyst for the methanol oxidation reaction: effect of electrodeposition mode and cocatalyst on electrocatalytic activity

The influence of supporting material, cocatalyst, and electrodeposition mode on MOR activity.

Cost-Effective Nanoporous Gold Obtained by Dealloying Metastable Precursor, Au33Fe67, Reveals Excellent Methanol Electro-Oxidation Performance

In this study, we report nanoporous gold (NPG) as an economic, efficient, and stable alternative electrocatalyst for methanol electro-oxidation. The said sample was successfully prepared from an Fe-rich metastable Au33Fe67 supersaturated solid solution acting as the precursor, which was formed into ribbons by the phenomenon of rapid solidification using melt-spinning technique. The as-quenched ribbon was then chemically dealloyed in 1 M HCl at 70 °C for different durations of time. A homogeneous, free-standing, and mechanically stable NPG sample was obtained with tunable ligament shape and size. The morphology and composition were characterized by using SEM with EDS, while the structure by XRD. The sample was examined as an electrocatalyst for methanol electro-oxidation profiting off its large surface area; cyclic voltammetry (CV) was the technique employed for electrochemical studies. In a basic solution of methanol and KOH, the sample displays a low peak potential of 0.47 V vs. Ag/AgCl for methanol electro-oxidation with a high peak current density of 0.43 mA/cm2. In addition, it demonstrates outstanding stability and high poisoning tolerance. It is noteworthy that the fabrication process of the NPG sample from start to end was intentionally opted to be sustainable, cost-effective, rapid, and feasible. The usage of critical raw materials was avoided. As a whole, the properties and results put forth by the NPG sample make it an inexpensive, sustainable, and excellent alternative as an electrocatalyst for methanol electro-oxidation.

Effect of Pd on the Electrocatalytic Activity of Pt towards Oxidation of Ethanol in Alkaline Solutions

The understanding of electrocatalytic activity and poisoning resistance properties of Pt and Pd nanoparticles, recognized as the best electrocatalysts for the ethanol oxidation reaction, is an essential step for the commercialization of direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs). In this paper, mono and bimetallic Pt and Pd nanoparticles with different atomic ratios have been synthesized to study their electrocatalytic properties for an ethanol oxidation reaction in alkaline solutions. The different nanoparticles were physiochemically characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The electrochemical characterization was performed by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry measurements. The electrochemical measurements indicate that Pt nanoparticles have much higher electrocatalytic activity for ethanol oxidation than Pd nanoparticles. The studies with bimetallic PtPd nanoparticles showed a significant impact of their composition on the ethanol oxidation. Thus, the highest electrocatalytic activity and poisoning resistance properties were obtained for Pt3Pd2 nanoparticles. Moreover, this study demonstrates that the poisoning of the catalyst surface through ethanol oxidation is related to the prevalence of the acetaldehyde–acetate route and the polymerization of acetaldehyde through aldol condensation in the alkaline media.