PtBi on carbon cloth as efficient flexible electrode for electro-oxidation of liquid fuels

Abstract

• Bi-modified Pt is directly supported on carbon cloth as a flexible electrode. • Bi-modified Pt improves activity and selectivity in electro-oxidation reactions. • The geometrical effect of Bi on Pt has a positive effect on catalytic performances. • The increased Bi hydroxide is favorable for the electro-oxidation performances. • Additive glucose improves the interaction between metal and carbon cloth. Pt modified by Bi had a great improvement for its catalytic performances. Herein, Bi-modified Pt was directly supported on carbon cloth (CC) as an efficient flexible electrode without using polymer binder. The catalyst structure of CC-based electrodes and their catalytic performances in glycerol and formic acid electro-oxidation reactions (GOR and FOR) were systematically studied. The research results indicated that Bi blocked certain sites of Pt, which limited the formation and adsorption of toxic products and intermediates. Bi-modified Pt on CC electrode had higher current density, better stability, and improved selectivity of dehydrogenation process in FOR and higher selectivity of glyceric acid in GOR. The electron enriched Pt resulting from Bi electron transfer and the increased bismuth hydroxide were in favor of the electro-oxidation catalytic performances. On the basis of introducing Bi, the added glucose was further beneficial to the performance due to the improved interaction between metal and CC.