Activity of Pt-Sn Catalyst Prepared by Reactive Spray Deposition Technology for Ethanol Electro-oxidation

Abstract

Direct liquid fuel cells (DLFCs) are promising power sources for small devices operating under ambient conditions, such as electronic portable devices. A one-step, open atmosphere reactive spray deposition technique (RSDT) was used for the first time as a flame-based technique to produce Pt-Sn catalyst for ethanol oxidation reaction. TEM images show catalyst particle size in the range of 2 to 6 nm. XRD patterns confirm crystalline Pt and a possible amorphous to weakly crystallized SnO2 phase. Pt-Sn / 90-10 % showed a superior catalytic performance compared to Pt or Pt-Sn mixtures with higher Sn content.