PLATINUM-TIN INTERMETALLIC NANOPARTICLE ELECTROCATALYSTS: EFFECTS OF GRAPHENE- BASED SUPPORTS ON ELECTRO-OXIDATION

摘要

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) are highly regarded as a clean alternative energy technology for motor vehicles, power generators, etc. One factor limiting their commercial viability is the poisoning of the Pt electrocatalyst at the anode by carbon monoxide (CO), an impurity in the H2 fuel feedstocks derived from hydrocarbons. In an attempt to mitigate this issue, researchers have developed new Pt-based bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) that can tolerate CO more effectively than monometallic Pt particles. One such example is the PtSn bimetallic, which has been studied at length by our group and others. When supported on carbon black, these PtSn NPs are efficient and highly CO-tolerant catalysts for the electrooxidation of CO-contaminated H2.