Synthesis of electrocatalysts by the Bönnemann method for the oxidation of methanol and the mixture H2/CO in a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

E. G. Franco,A. Oliveira Neto,E. Aricó,M. Linardi

doi:10.1590/s0103-50532002000400017

E. G. Franco, A. Oliveira Neto + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s0103-50532002000400017

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Journal: Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society	Publication Date: Aug 1, 2002
Citations: 32	License type: cc-by

Abstract

The synthesis of ternary electrocatalysts Pt/Ru/Mo type were performed according to the Bonnemann method and characterized by the following techniques: energy dispersive analysis (EDX), X-rays diffraction (XRD), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and polarization curves (E vs. i) for the oxidation of H2, H2/CO and methanol in a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC). Catalysts structure consists of highly dispersed nanocrystals in carbon support, with an average particle size of 2 nm. The results of cyclic voltammetry suggest an enhancement of the catalyst electroactivity with the addition of cocatalysts. Polarization curves indicate that Pt/Ru/Mo systems could be employed as electrode material for PEM fuel cell for technological application.

Highlights

The study and development of new electrocatalysts aim an increase in the electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of H2/CO or methanol in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC)
A great challenge in the oxidation of H2/CO and methanol is the synthesis of proper new electrocatalysts in order to minimize catalyst contamination caused by CO adsorption.[1,2,3]
The high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) was equipped with a nano-EDX device to perform analyses in small areas, with 10 nm of particle diameter corresponding to a few nanocrystals of the specimen, meaning that some variation of the nominal composition is expected

Summary

Introduction

The study and development of new electrocatalysts aim an increase in the electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of H2/CO or methanol in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC). These results are comparable to those reported for Pt/Ru, by Schmidt et al.[12] The small increase in the average nanocrystals size is probably due to the addition of Mo. The XRD measurements for both catalysts were similar and reveal the predominance of the carbon support response around 2G = 20°, while the responses of Pt, Ru and Mo are difficult to find.

Results

Conclusion