Abstract
Porous carbon (PC) is obtained by carbonizing a zinc-coordination polymer (MOF-5) at 950 °C and PtM (M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) nanoparticles (NPs), which are deposited on PC using the polyol method. Structural and morphological characterizations of the synthesized materials are carried out by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and the porosity was determined using a N2 adsorption/desorption technique. The results revealed that PtM NPs are alloyed in the fcc phase and are well dispersed on the surface of PC. The electrochemical results show that PtM/PC 950 catalysts have higher methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) performances than commercial Pt/C (20%) catalysts. After 3000 s of chronoamperometry (CA) test, the MOR performances decreased in the order of Pt1Cu1/PC 950 > Pt1Ni1/PC 950 > Pt1Fe1/PC 950 > Pt1Zn1/PC 950 > Pt1Co1/PC 950. The high MOR activities of the synthesized catalysts are attributed to the effect of M on methanol dissociative chemisorption and improved tolerance of Pt against CO poisoning. The high specific surface area and porosity of the carbon support have an additional effect in boosting the MOR activities. Screening of the first row transition metals (d5+n, n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) alloyed with Pt binary catalysts for MOR shows that Pt with d8 (Ni) and d9 (Cu) transition metals, in equivalent atomic ratios, are good anode catalysts for alcohol fuel cells.
Highlights
Alcohol fuel cells (FCs) have been considered as competent and green energy technology for the future owing to their highenergy output, low waste release, and hygienic operation.[1−3] Among the different types of FCs, direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) utilizing methanol as a fuel have been extensively studied in the last 20 years due to the advantages of room temperature liquid fuel, which is less explosive and can be stored
In the case of Pt1Fe1/porous carbon (PC) 950 and Pt1Zn1/PC 950, the corresponding diffraction peaks are negatively shifted to 39.6° for (111), to 46.3° for (200), to 67.6° for (220), to 81.5° for (311), and to 85.8° for (222) lattice planes
PtM (M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) binary electrocatalysts supported on PC 950, which is obtained by inert atmosphere thermal decomposition of a zinc-coordination polymer, were prepared and evaluated for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) in an acid solution
Summary
Alcohol fuel cells (FCs) have been considered as competent and green energy technology for the future owing to their highenergy output, low waste release, and hygienic operation.[1−3] Among the different types of FCs, direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) utilizing methanol as a fuel have been extensively studied in the last 20 years due to the advantages of room temperature liquid fuel, which is less explosive and can be stored. The high electrochemical performances of the synthesized catalysts toward MOR is attributed to the appropriate metal composition in alloy in which the transition metals can facilitate the electron transfer from M (Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn) to Pt while decreasing Pt dissolution and agglomeration in an acid medium It has been observed in the literature that Cu-modified electronic and geometric structures of Pt resulted to high electrocatalytic activity and decreased CO poisoning.[65] The electrochemical deposition of Pt−Cu, Pt−Ni, and Pt−Co on the glassy carbon electrode for methanol oxidation have been reported by Sotiropoulos and co-workers.[66] Similar to the present study, Pt(Cu) have exhibited enhanced catalytic activity toward methanol oxidation in both variable potential and in constant potential experiments. The impedance analysis clearly demonstrates that the current density varies (at constant potential) while changing the catalyst composition
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
