Pronounced synergetic effect of the nano-sized PtSnNi/C catalyst for ethanol oxidation in direct ethanol fuel cell

Authors: Seden Beyhan, Jean-Michel Léger, Figen Kadırgan

Abstract:
Carbon supported well-dispersed Pt, Pt₉₀Sn₁₀, Pt₉₀Ni₁₀ and Pt₈₀Sn₁₀Ni₁₀ nanoparticles were synthesized by co-reduction using Bönnemann’s colloidal precursor method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that catalysts have the Pt face centred cubic (fcc) structure and their crystallite size are in the range 2–6 nm.Regarding the ternary Pt₈₀Sn₁₀Ni₁₀/Ccatalyst,its latticeparameter is larger thanthat of Pt₉₀Sn₁₀/C and smaller than that of Pt₉₀Sn₁₀/C. The size of catalyst nanoparticles was observed via Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and showed an average diameter of 3 nm. X-ray photon electron spectroscopy (XPS) results indicate that the surface of Pt₉₀Sn₁₀/C catalyst is enriched in Sn as compared to bulk composition, whereas Pt₈₀Sn₁₀Ni₁₀/C catalyst is Pt-enriched. The onset potentials for ethanol oxidation on Pt₉₀Sn₁₀/C and Pt₈₀Sn₁₀Ni₁₀/C catalysts were significantly lower than that of Pt/C and Pt₉₀Ni₁₀/C. Single direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) performances obtained for the Pt₈₀Sn₁₀Ni₁₀/C is promising when compared to that obtained with Pt₉₀Sn₁₀/C catalyst. The effect of Ni by promoting the C–C bond cleavage is confirmed by in situ IR measurements. These results suggest the presence of Ni in the Pt₈₀Sn₁₀Ni₁₀/C catalyst can facilitate C–C bond cleavage reaction on its Pt-rich surface; however, Sn oxide species activates the adsorbed CO on the surface providing the necessary OH species for oxidation of ethanol at lower potentials.

Keywords:
PtSnNi/C catalyst
PtSn-based catalyst
Ethanol oxidation
Direct ethanol fuel cell

Published in: Applied Catalysis B: Environmental (Volumes 130–131, Pages 1-336, 7 February 2013)

Publisher: Elsevier  

ISSN Information: 0926-3373

Pronounced synergetic effect of the nano-sized PtSnNi/C catalyst for ethanol oxidation in direct ethanol fuel cell

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