One-pot method of synthesis of Pt/SnO2 system and its electrocatalytic activity.

Agnieszka Martyla,Robert Przekop,Maciej Kopczyk,Piotr Marciniak

doi:10.1186/s13065-014-0049-0

Abstract

BackgroundElectro-oxidation of methanol in acidic solution was investigated on a Pt/SnO2 based electrocatalyst obtained by the sol–gel method. Pt/SnO2 systems were prepared by one pot synthesis using a sol–gel method and tin (IV) acetate as a precursor of SnO2 and water solution of hexachloroplatinum acid as a source of metallic phase.ResultsThe described method, thanks to its simplicity and mildprocessing temperature, offers uniform dispersion of metal phase in the bulk of the gel forming as a result of hydrolysis and condnastionon of tin precursor. It has been found that the obtained system exhibits high electrocatalytic activity just after low temperature processing. This work investigates the effect of the Pt concentration and the influence thermal treatment of Pt/SnO2 on its electrochemical activity.ConclusionsThe described procedure is a simple method of producing a highly active Pt/SnO2 electrocatalyst without using thermal treatment in reducing conditions. The oxidation state of Pt is a determining factor for its activity in an electrooxidation process.Graphical One-pot method of synthesis of Pt/SnO2 catalyst

Highlights

Platinum is the most critical single-component catalyst used in taking place in low temperature fuel cells because of its catalytic activity in electrooxidization reactions performed at room temperature
X-ray diffraction analysis was performed to study the effect of thermal treatment temperature and metal phase the concentration on the electroactivity
The proposed method of synthesis and thermal treatment allow for good control of the size of metal and stabilization of nanoparticles within the pores of the support

Summary

Introduction

Platinum is the most critical single-component catalyst used in taking place in low temperature fuel cells because of its catalytic activity in electrooxidization reactions performed at room temperature. It is one of few metal [1,2] that can withstand acidic conditions, inside a fuel cell, but it is very expensive [3] and can be readily poisoned by carbon monoxide, an intermediate in the methanol electro-oxidation reaction. Electro-oxidation of methanol in acidic solution was investigated on a Pt/SnO2 based electrocatalyst obtained by the sol–gel method. Pt/SnO2 systems were prepared by one pot synthesis using a sol–gel method and tin (IV) acetate as a precursor of SnO2 and water solution of hexachloroplatinum acid as a source of metallic phase

Objectives

Results

Conclusion