Abstract
Different advanced nanostructured carbon materials, such as carbon nanocoils, carbon nanofibers, graphitized ordered mesoporous carbons and carbon xerogels, presenting interesting features such as high electrical conductivity and extensively developed porous structure were synthesized and used as supports in the preparation of electrocatalysts for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). The main advantage of these supports is that their physical properties and surface chemistry can be tailored to adapt the carbonaceous material to the catalytic requirements. Moreover, all of them present a highly mesoporous structure, diminishing diffusion problems, and both graphitic character and surface area can be conveniently modified. In the present work, the influence of the particular features of each material on the catalytic activity and stability was analyzed. Results have been compared with those obtained for commercial catalysts supported on Vulcan XC-72R, Pt/C and PtRu/C (ETEK). Both a highly ordered graphitic and mesopore-enriched structure of these advanced nanostructured materials resulted in an improved electrochemical performance in comparison to the commercial catalysts assayed, both towards CO and alcohol oxidation.
Highlights
IntroductionAmong the different types of fuel cells, polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEMFCs and DAFCs, respectively using hydrogen and alcohols such as methanol or ethanol) are the most promising for both portable and stationary applications due to their advantageous features such as high power density at lower temperatures (55–95 °C), low weight, compactness, and suitability for discontinuous operation [1,2]
Among the different types of fuel cells, polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEMFCs and DAFCs, respectively using hydrogen and alcohols such as methanol or ethanol) are the most promising for both portable and stationary applications due to their advantageous features such as high power density at lower temperatures (55–95 °C), low weight, compactness, and suitability for discontinuous operation [1,2].At present, the most effective fuel cell catalysts are based on highly dispersed platinum-based nanoparticles
The performance of Pt or Pt-Ru nanoparticles supported on carbon materials depends strongly on the properties of the support and on the structure, crystallite size and dispersion of metal nanoparticles
Summary
Among the different types of fuel cells, polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEMFCs and DAFCs, respectively using hydrogen and alcohols such as methanol or ethanol) are the most promising for both portable and stationary applications due to their advantageous features such as high power density at lower temperatures (55–95 °C), low weight, compactness, and suitability for discontinuous operation [1,2]. Ruthenium, which forms the Pt-Ru alloy) supported onto different carbon materials the catalytic activity and the selectivity for complete oxidation of the alcohols can be improved [6,7,8,9,10]. The performance of Pt or Pt-Ru nanoparticles supported on carbon materials depends strongly on the properties of the support and on the structure, crystallite size and dispersion of metal nanoparticles. Different carbon materials with interesting textural and structural properties, such as high surface area, high mesopore volume and high electrical conductivity, are considered in the present work as electrocatalyst support for the preparation of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) anodes. The aim is to study the influence of textural and structural properties of such supports on the catalytic activity, in order to improve their efficiency and stability in the fuel cell. A carbon nanocoil, a carbon nanofiber and a carbon xerogel have been used for synthesizing platinum and platinum-ruthenium catalysts
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