Electrocatalytic activity for CO, MeOH, and EtOH oxidation on the surface of Pt-Ru nanoparticles supported by metal oxide

Abstract

This paper describes the electrocatalytic activity for CO, MeOH, and EtOH oxidation on the surface of Pt-Ru nanoparticles supported by metal oxide (Nb- TiO 2 -H) prepared for use in a fuel cell. To prepare Nb- TiO 2 -supported Pt-Ru nanoparticles, first, the Nb- TiO 2 supports were prepared by sol-gel reaction of titanium tetraisopropoxide with a small amount of the niobium ethoxide in polystyrene (PS) colloids. Second, Pt-Ru nanoparticles were then deposited by chemical reduction of the Pt 4+ and Ru 3+ ions onto Nb- TiO 2 supports (Pt-Ru@Nb- TiO 2 -CS). Nb element was used to reduce electrical resistance to facilitate electron transport during the electrochemical reactions on a fuel cell electrode. Finally, the Pt-Ru@Nb- TiO 2 -H catalysts were formed by the removal of core-polystyrene ball from Pt-Ru@ TiO 2 -CS at 500°C. The successfully prepared Pt-Ru electrocatalysts were confirmed via TEM, XPS, and ICP analysis. The electrocatalytic efficiency of Pt-Ru nanoparticles was evaluated via CO, MeOH, and EtOH oxidation for use in a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). As a result, the Pt-Ru@Nb- TiO 2 -H electrodes showed high electrocatalytic activity for the electrooxidation of CO, MeOH, and EtOH. Copyright © 2011 Kwang-Sik Sim et al.