Platinum supported on early transition metal carbides: Efficient electrocatalysts for methanol electro-oxidation reaction in alkaline electrolyte

Some classes of electrocatalysts based on Pt supported early transition metal carbides (TMCs) have shown promise for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). To bridge the material gap, we studied some promising and new MOR. We synthesized 1%wt Pt/TMCs (TMCs group IV (Ti Zr), V (V, Nb Ta) VI (W)) via wet impregnation method as low loading MOR in alkaline media. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), N2 physisorption using Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) photoelectron (XPS). activity elucidated media combination experimental theoretical methods. Among all investigated electrocatalysts, Pt/NbC was found to highest specific (3.58 mA cmPt?2) while Pt/ZrC had least (0.410 cmPt?2). Tafel slope measurements Pt/TMC with exception Pt/TiC varied from region potential high 121.2 ± 11 mV dec?1 234 10 respectively, indicating change limiting steps C-H scission CO poisoning. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations binding energies H surfaces correlated their activity, volcano-type relationships discovered, which indicated that neither too weak nor strong bond electrocatalyst favorable during Finally, a feasible mechanism proposed results.