Electrocatalysis of direct alcohol fuel cells: Quantitative DEMS studies

Abstract

In this chapter, we present new insights in direct alcohol fuel cell-related anode electrocatalysis based on quantitative differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) studies. First, we review the history and development of the DEMS technique, as well as the calibration method for quantification. We then discuss some contributions of quantitative DEMS to the study of the mechanism of methanol electrooxidation on Pt and PtRu model catalysts. We also discuss quantitative DEMS studies of the mechanism of dissociative adsorption and electrooxidation of ethanol and acetaldehyde at Pt, Pt3Sn, PtRu, and PtRh nanoparticle catalysts. Finally, the mechanism of dissociative adsorption and electrooxidation of ethylene glycol and its oxidative derivatives on carbon-supported Pt, Pt3Sn, and PtRu nanoparticle catalysts are discussed, based on quantitative DEMS results. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.