Study on Pt(Sn)/TiO2-C as Anodic Catalysts for Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell

摘要

This research concentrated on the use of a modified Pt/C anodic catalyst with titania (TiO2) and tin (Sn)to enhance the utilization and efficiency of a direct ethanol fuel cell. The TiO2-doped active carbonsupport (TiO2-C) was prepared by the impregnation method. Then, using platinum chloride (PtCl4) andtin (II) chloride dihydrate (SnCl2×2H2O) as precursors, a Pt(Sn)/TiO2-C anodic catalyst was fabricatedby the formic acid reduction method. Further, a series of Pt(Sn)/TiO2-C anodic catalysts were coatedon carbon paper as working electrodes. Performance evaluations were executed by cyclic voltammetry(CV) and chronoamperometry for the ethanol electro-oxidation, and CO stripping voltammetry wasperformed in an acid solution at room temperature. Characterization of the series Pt(Sn)/TiO2-Ccatalysts displayed that all catalysts revealed uniform dispersion of platinum with a diameter around 3- 6 nm and a high electrochemically active surface area. Apparently, the doping of TiO2 and Sn coulddisperse the active species, and lower the potential of the ethanol electro-oxidation to improve theethanol oxidation reaction (EOR). In addition, the inclusion of TiO2 and Sn could promote COstripping by the surface active OHad sites and through the formation of a PtSn2 alloy at a loweroxidizing potential..