COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DIFFERENT CARBON NANOTUBE-SUPPORTED PLATINUM BIMETALLIC CATALYSTS FOR METHANOL AND ETHANOL OXIDATION

摘要

Among different types of fuel cells, direct methanol and ethanol fuel cells are excellent power sources due to their high energy density, low pollutant emission, low operating temperature, and ease of handling liquid fuel. However, there are still some critical obstacles inhibiting broad applications of direct methanol and ethanol fuel cells, including low electrocatalytic activity of anodes and the high cost of noble metal platinum (Pt)-based catalysts. In order to enhance the catalytic activity, reduce the usage of Pt, and improve the tolerance to be poisoned by absorbed species, Pt-based bimetallic catalysts have been extensively investigated as potential practical catalysts for methanol/ethanol oxidations [1]. Another strategy is to explore novel carbon materials to effectively disperse catalyst particles [2]. During the past several years, a number of research groups have demonstrated that carbon nanotubes can more effectively improve electrocatalytic activity of Pt catalysts compared to the most widely-used carbon support, Vulcan XC-72R carbon black. In this study, we utilized the same reaction parameters to synthesize different Pt-based bimetallic catalysts (Pt-Cr, Pt-Mn, Pt-Fe, Pt-Co, Pt-Ni, and Pt-Sn) on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs).