Synthesis and characterization of lignin-based carbon nanofiber supported Platinum–Ruthenium nanoparticles obtained from wood sawdust and applications in alcohol fuel cells

Abstract

Direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFC) are an interesting topic today and many studies are being carried out on their development. In this study, the PtRu catalyst was developed by carbon nanofibers (CNF), which are thought to be highly effective in increasing the active surface area for alcohol oxidation in fuel cells. The methanol and ethanol oxidation electrocatalytic activities of synthesized CNF-supported Platinum–Ruthenium (PtRu@CNF) nanoparticles were investigated. In alcohol oxidation measurements of CNF-supported Pt–Ru nanoparticles; The ratio of diffusion efficiency, oxidation potential, forward oxidation peak current density, and forward peak current density to reverse peak current density was found to be quite good. The forward peak current densities of ethanol and methanol oxidation for the synthesized PtRu@CNF catalyst were found to be 29.17 mA/cm2 and 48.14 mA/cm2, respectively. The prepared PtRu@CNF nanoparticles have high conductivity, low onset potential, and high electrochemical surface area (ECSA; 20.30 cm2) as a suitable catalyst for the DAFCs.