Synthesis, characterization and 1-propanol electrooxidation application of carbon nanotube supported bimetallic catalysts

Abstract

In this study, 1-propanol electrooxidation activities of Pt and Bi catalysts synthesized by NaBH4 co-reduction and sequential reduction methods are compared. The characterization of the catalysts supported carbon nanotube (CNT) is determined by XRD, SEM-EDX, TEM, and ICP-MS analyzes. In the TEM results, it is seen that Pt and Bi metal nanoparticles are dispersed into carbon nanotubes. Electrochemical measurements of CV, CA, and EIS are applied to investigate the catalytic activities of catalysts for 1-propanol electrooxidation. Bi@Pt/CNT catalyst exhibits the highest catalytic activity (24.212 mA/cm2 and 1950.06 mA/mg Pt), long-term stability and lowest resistance. As a result, it was concluded that the catalyst activity increased with the sequential reduction method and the Bi@Pt/CNT catalyst was promising with its high activity value for direct alcohol fuel cells.