Controlled synthesis of mono- and bimetallic Pt-based catalysts for electrochemical ethanol oxidation

Poisoning tolerance of Pt-based catalyst is an important parameter for the designing direct electrochemical fuel cells (EFCs) based on electrooxidation alcohols (i.e. methanol, ethanol). Applicability ethanol EFCs still challenging taking into account lack effective electrocatalysts which are able to produce high faradic current densities and stability towards strong adsorption C1 C2 oxidation products. As we present here, mono- bimetallic have been synthesized a carbon black support elecotrooxidation in acidic media. Depending molar ratio between poly-n-vinylpyrrolidone (PVP, acting as protecting agent) Pt, nanoparticle size distribution has controlled, obtaining optimal condition Pt loading electroactive surface area (ECSA) PVP/Pt = 1. The behavior electrocatalyst Pt/Re/CB-1 shows negligible variation ECSA (98.3 m2 g−1) comparison with monometallic electrodes (90.2 g−1). In contrast, addition Ir tends reduce by agglomeration some nanoparticles decreasing its performance. Incorporation Re alloy promotes bond breaking intermediates adsorbed surface, specifically molecules, releasing great number active sites from minimizing deactivation cycling providing remarkable stable specific small amounts Re.