Pt-Sn/C as a possible methanol-tolerant cathode catalyst for DMFC

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Date

2013

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Springer Verlag

Abstract

An effective method was developed for preparing highly dispersed nano-sized Pt–Sn/C electrocatalyst synthesised by a modified polyol reduction method. From XRD patterns, the Pt–Sn/C peaks shifted slightly to lower 2θ angles when compared with commercial Pt/C catalyst, suggesting that Sn formed alloy with Pt. Based on HR-TEM images, the Pt–Sn/C nanoparticles showed small particle sizes and well dispersed onto the carbon support with a narrow particle distribution. The methanol oxidation reaction on the as-prepared Pt–Sn/C catalyst appeared at lower currents (+7.08 mA at +480 mV vs. Ag/AgCl) compared to the commercial Pt/C (+8.25 mA at +480 mV vs. Ag/AgCl) suggesting that the Pt–Sn/C catalyst has ‘methanol tolerance capabilities’. Pt–Sn/C HA Slurry pH3 catalysts showed better activity towards the oxygen-reduction reaction (ORR) than commercial Pt/C which could be attributed to smaller particle sizes. In our study, the Pt–Sn/C catalyst appears to be a promising methanol-tolerant catalyst with activity towards the ORR in the DMFC.

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Keywords

Platinum–tin, Methanol resistant, Polyol method, Cathode catalyst, ORR, MOR

Citation

Martin, L.G. et al. (2013). Pt-Sn/C as a possible methanol-tolerant cathode catalyst for DMFC. Electrocatalysis, 4: 144 – 153