Platinized mesoporous tungsten carbide for electrochemical methanol oxidation

Mesoporous WC with hexagonal crystal structure was synthesized by a surfactant-assisted polymer method. A new electrocatalyst composed of a small amount of Pt supported on the mesoporous WC exhibited higher activity for electrooxidation of methanol than microporous Pt/WC or Pt/W₂C as well as commercial Pt–Ru(1:1)/C catalysts. The mesoporosity and the phase of WC appear important for the high activity. Compared to the commercial Pt–Ru/C catalyst, the Pt/WC (mesoporous) showed the higher activity per mass of Pt by a factor of six even without Ru. Since the catalyst is also stable in electrochemical environment, it could become an alternative electrocatalyst for direct methanol fuel cells.     

石墨烯纳米片担载Pt-Pd双金属纳米球作为甲醇氧化的电催化剂(英文)

利用简便的无表面活性剂的方法合成了石墨烯担载的Pt-Pd双金属纳米球.首先由Na2PdCl4与氧化石墨烯发生氧化还原反应生成Pd晶种,然后诱导Pt纳米粒子的生长,得到Pt-Pd双金属纳米球.采用扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜和X射线粉末衍射仪表征了合成的Pt-Pd/GR催化剂的结构,并测定了其作为甲醇氧化电催化剂的性能.结果表明,Pt-Pd/GR催化剂对甲醇氧化反应表现出高催化活性和稳定性,甲醇氧化电流密度为51.8mA·cm-2.     

中空树枝状三氧化钨载铂催化剂对甲醇的电催化氧化性能研究

采用水热法和牺牲模板法相结合制备具有中空树枝结构的三氧化钨载体(d-WO₃),在其表面进一步负载活性成分Pt,得到纳米Pt/d-WO₃复合催化剂。采用X射线粉末衍射(XRD)、透射电镜(TEM)和比表面积和孔结构分析(BET)等对催化剂的形貌和结构进行了表征。结果表明,三氧化钨具有长6 μm和宽2 μm的中空树枝状结构,孔径分布主要集中在20~120 nm,比表面积为24 m²/g,平均粒径为7.2 nm的Pt纳米粒子均匀分布在其表面。采用循环伏安和计时电流法研究了Pt/d-WO₃催化剂在酸性溶液中对甲醇的电催化氧化性能。结果表明,Pt/d-WO₃催化剂比Pt/C和Pt/WO₃催化剂对甲醇有更高的电催化氧化活性和稳定性。d-WO₃所具有的中空介孔结构和双功能作用机理有利于甲醇在铂表面的直接脱氢氧化过程。     

Porous Ni@Pt core-shell nanotube array electrocatalyst with high activity and stability for methanol oxidation

Bimetallic core-shell nanostructures are emerging as more important materials than monometallic nanostructures, and have much more interesting potential applications in various fields, including catalysis and electronics. In this work, we demonstrate the facile synthesis of core-shell nanotube array catalysts consisting of Pt thin layers as the shells and Ni nanotubes as the cores. The porous Ni@Pt core-shell nanotube arrays were fabricated by ZnO nanorod-array template-assisted electrodeposition, and they represent a new class of nanostructures with a high electrochemically active surface area of 50.08 m(2) (g Pt)(-1), which is close to the value of 59.44 m(2) (g Pt)(-1) for commercial Pt/C catalysts. The porous Ni@Pt core-shell nanotube arrays also show markedly enhanced electrocatalytic activity and stability for methanol oxidation compared with the commercial Pt/C catalysts. The attractive performances exhibited by these prepared porous Ni@Pt core-shell nanotube arrays make them promising candidates as future high-performance catalysts for methanol electrooxidation. The facile method described herein is suitable for large-scale, low-cost production, and significantly lowers the Pt loading, and thus, the cost of the catalysts.     

WO3 decorated carbon nanotube supported PtSn nanoparticles with enhanced activity towards electrochemical oxidation of ethylene glycol in direct alcohol fuel cells

This paper describes the concept of the utilization of metal oxide (WO₃) modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) for supporting and activating PtSn nanoparticles (PtSn/WO₃-MWCNT and PtSn/MWCNT) for ethylene glycol oxidation. The resulting nanocomposite was developed and characterized using electrochemical and microscopic (TEM, SEM−EDS) techniques, as well as XRD analysis. The electrocatalytic currents measured under voltammetric and chronoamperometric conditions were greater than those found with the commercially available Vulcan-supported Pt₃Sn nanoparticles, which were used as reference catalysts. In situ FTIR spectroscopy was used to detect the formation of oxidation intermediates or products during the ethylene glycol oxidation. Combining the transition metal oxide species with Pt-based nanoparticles can generate OH groups at low potentials. These groups participate in the oxidation of passivating CO adsorbates on the Pt surface, and can also potentially break CH bonds. Further, the effectiveness of synthesized catalyst has been assessed through testing both catalysts in the single fuel cell. A single fuel cell with a PtSn/WO₃-MWCNT anode gave a better performance than one with a pristine PtSn/Vulcan anode, with a current density of around 79.8 mA cm⁻² and an output power density of 20.5 mW cm⁻².     

Dispersed platinum supported by hydrogen molybdenum bronze-modified carbon as electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation

A new electrocatalyst, Pt/H_xMoO₃-C, for methanol oxidation, was prepared by dispersing platinum nano-particles on Vulcan XC-72 modified by hydrogen molybdenum bronze (H_xMoO₃, 0 ≤ x ≤ 2). The modification of Vulcan XC-72 with H_xMoO₃ on was accomplished by reducing the adsorbed molybdic acid and the platinum nano-particles were dispersed on the modified carbon by reducing chloroplatinic acid, with formaldehyde as the reductant. The prepared Pt/H_xMoO₃-C was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersion spectrometer, cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry (CA), and single-cell test, with a comparison of the electrocatalyst, carbon-supported platinum (Pt/C) prepared under the same condition but without the modification. The results obtained from XRD and SEM showed that the modification of Vulcan XC-72 with H_xMoO₃ reduced the platinum particle size and improved distribution uniformity of platinum on carbon. The results, obtained from CV, CA, and the single-cell test, showed that Pt/H_xMoO₃-C exhibited better electrocatalytic activity toward methanol oxidation than Pt/C.     

Nanostructured Pt supported on cocoon-derived carbon as an efficient electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation

Development of suitable supports has been proven as an important preparation process for high active catalysts of fuel cell. In this work, a carbon material was prepared by pyrolyzing cocoons with ferric chloride as activator, and then Pt nanoparticles (ca. 50 wt.%) were deposited on its surface. The characteristics of X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy showed that the face-centered cubic structured Pt nanoparticles with nano-sized crystals interconnected each other via grain boundaries were formed on the surface of pyrolyzed cocoons. Afterwards, electrochemical results demonstrate that the nanostructured Pt supported on this support exhibits higher catalytic activity and CO tolerance than Pt nanoparticles supported on Vulcan carbon for methanol oxidation reaction.     

One-pot fabrication of single-crystalline octahedral Pd-Pt nanocrystals with enhanced electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation

This study reports the synthesis of octahedral Pd-Pt bimetallic alloy nanocrystals through a facile, one-pot, templateless, and seedless hydrothermal method in the presence of glucose and hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide. The morphologies, compositions, and structures of the Pd-Pt nanocrystals were fully characterized by various physical techniques, thereby demonstrating their highly alloying octahedral nanostructures. The formation or growth mechanism of the Pd-Pt bimetallic alloy nanocrystals was explored and is discussed here based on the experimental observations. In addition, the synthesized Pd-Pt nanocrystals were applied to the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) in alkaline media, which proved that the as-prepared catalysts exhibit enhanced electrocatalytic activity for MOR. Pd₁Pt₃ exhibited the best stability and durability, and its mass activity was 3.4 and 5.2 times greater than those of Pt black and Pd black catalysts, respectively. The facile synthetic process and excellent catalytic performance of the as-prepared catalysts demonstrate that they have the potential to be used in direct methanol fuel cell techniques.     

Synthesis of mesoporous hollow carbon hemispheres as highly efficient Pd electrocatalyst support for ethanol oxidation

The synthesis procedure of the highly mesoporous hollow carbon hemispheres (HCHs) using glucose as carbon source and solid core mesoporous shell silica (SCMSS) as template and the formation mechanism of the HCHs have been presented. The HCHs show an ultrahigh surface area of 1095.59 m² g^?1 and an average mesopore size of 9.38 nm. The hemispherical structure with large mesopores also results in the improvement in the mass transfer and therefore more concentrated ethanol solution can be used to increase the energy density. The additional advantage of the HCHs compared to the hollow carbon spheres is that they can provide the similar surface area at reduced volume. The current densities of ethanol oxidation on Pd nanoparticles supported on HCH (Pd/HCH) electrocatalyst are three times as many as on Pd/C at the same Pd loadings.     

中空介孔碳化钨微球载钯催化剂对甲酸电催化性能

采用喷雾干燥法和还原炭化处理制备具有中空介孔结构的碳化钨钴复合粉(HTCCS),其中,钴的质量含量为6%。在碳化钨钴复合粉表面的钴和氯化钯发生置换反应,得到纳米Pd/WC复合催化剂。采用X射线粉末衍射(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)和透射电镜(TEM)对样品的形貌和晶型结构进行了表征。结果表明, 5.0-6.0nm钯纳米粒子取代钴均匀分布在碳化钨微球表面。采用循环伏安和计时电流法研究了在酸性溶液中Pd/WC催化剂对甲酸的电催化氧化性能,结果表明,Pd/WC催化剂比Pd/C催化剂对甲酸呈现出更高的电催化氧化活性和稳定性。     

In situ synthesis of Pt/carbon nanofiber nanocomposites with enhanced electrocatalytic activity toward methanol oxidation

Pt/carbon nanofiber (Pt/CNF) nanocomposites were facilely synthesized by the reduction of hexachloroplatinic acid (H(2)PtCl(6)) using formic acid (HCOOH) in aqueous solution containing electrospun carbon nanofibers at room temperature. The obtained Pt/CNF nanocomposites were characterized by TEM and EDX. The Pt nanoparticles could in situ grow on the surface of CNFs with small particle size, high loading density, and uniform dispersion by adjusting the concentration of H(2)PtCl(6) precursor. The electrocatalytic activities of the Pt/CNF nanocomposites were also studied. These Pt/CNF nanocomposites exhibited higher electrocatalytic activity toward methanol oxidation reaction compared with commercial E-TEK Pt/C catalyst. The results presented may offer a new approach to facilely synthesize direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) catalyst with enhanced electrocatalytic activity and low cost.     

Ultrasonic assisted polyol synthesis of highly dispersed Pt/MWCNT electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation

A novel chemical method based on ultrasonic assisted polyol synthesis for the fabrication of highly dispersed Pt nanoparticles on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was developed. The simple and green method took only about 10 min at ambient temperature. The structure and chemical nature of the resulting Pt/MWCNT composites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS). The results showed that the prepared Pt nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed on the MWCNT surface. The mean size of Pt nanoparticles was about 2.8 nm. Electrochemical properties of Pt/MWCNT electrode for methanol oxidation were examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and excellent electrocatalytic activities could be observed. The possible formation mechanism of Pt/MWCNTs was also discussed.     

2D Bi2WO6/MoS2 as a new photo-activated carrier for boosting electrocatalytic methanol oxidation with visible light illumination

In this paper, a new two-dimensional (2D)/2D composite of Bi₂WO₆/MoS₂ was facile synthesized, and then was used as supporting material for depositing Pt nanoparticles. The as-synthesized Pt-Bi₂WO₆/MoS₂ was extended into photo-assisted electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol, which is a model anode reaction for direct methanol fuel cell. Compare with traditional electrocatalytic process, Pt-Bi₂WO₆/MoS₂ displays 1.5 times enhanced electrocatalytic performance on methanol oxidation with assistance of visible light irradiation and 2.2 times for commercial Pt/C. Besides, from the results of chronoamperometric and chronopotentiometry experiments, the stability of Pt-Bi₂WO₆/MoS₂ electrode is clearly improved under visible light irradiation. The synergistic effects of photo- and electro-catalytic in the heterojunction of Pt-Bi₂WO₆/MoS₂ in favor of the above enhancement. This research gives more insights in the fields of photo-assisted traditional electrocatalytic application by constructing of semiconductor heterojunction carrier.     

Preparation and electrochemical performance for methanol oxidation of pt/graphene nanocomposites

The composites of graphene nanosheets decorated by Pt nano clusters have been prepared via reduction of graphite oxide and H₂PtCl₆ in one pot. Electrochemical experiments show that the composites have superior catalytic performance toward methanol oxidation indicating the graphene may have a splendid future as catalysts carrier in electrocatalysis and fuel cell.     

Formation of Pt-TiO2-rGO 3-phase junctions with significantly enhanced electro-activity for methanol oxidation

TiO(2) nanoparticles-decorated graphene nanosheets have been prepared by a facile hydrothermal method. After depositing Pt nanoparticles exclusively around the interface between TiO(2) and rGO, the obtained Pt/TiO(2)@rGO electrocatalyst exhibits remarkably enhanced electrocatalytic performance, which could be attributed to the unique structure and some possible synergetic effect from the 3-phase Pt-TiO(2)-rGO junctions.     

Novel one step hydrothermal synthesis of TiO2/WO3 nanocomposites with enhanced photocatalytic activity

A novel and simple one step hydrothermal process is used to prepare TiO(2)/WO(3) nanocomposites, in which WO(3) and TiO(2) are present in hexagonal and anatase crystalline forms, respectively, and have enhanced photocatalytic activity towards trichloroethylene degradation in the gas phase.     

Supported Pd-Cu bimetallic nanoparticles that have high activity for the electrochemical oxidation of methanol

Monodisperse bimetallic Pd-Cu nanoparticles with controllable size and composition were synthesized by a one-step multiphase ethylene glycol (EG) method. Adjusting the stoichiometric ratio of the Pd and Cu precursors afforded nanoparticles with different compositions, such as Pd(85)-Cu(15), Pd(56)-Cu(44), and Pd(39)-Cu(61). The nanoparticles were separated from the solution mixture by extraction with non-polar solvents, such as n-hexane. Monodisperse bimetallic Pd-Cu nanoparticles with narrow size-distribution were obtained without the need for a size-selection process. Capping ligands that were bound to the surface of the particles were removed through heat treatment when the as-prepared nanoparticles were loaded onto a Vulcan XC-72 carbon support. Supported bimetallic Pd-Cu nanoparticles showed enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards methanol oxidation compared with supported Pd nanoparticles that were fabricated according to the same EG method. For a bimetallic Pd-Cu catalyst that contained 15?% Cu, the activity was even comparable to the state-of-the-art commercially available Pt/C catalysts. A STEM-HAADF study indicated that the formation of random solid-solution alloy structures in the bimetallic Pd(85)-Cu(15)/C catalysts played a key role in improving the electrochemical activity.     

Platinum-coated gold nanoporous film surface: electrodeposition and enhanced electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation

This report describes the preparation of Pt-nanoparticle-coated gold-nanoporous film (PGNF) on a gold substrate via a simple "green" approach. The gold electrode that has been anodized under a high potential of 5 V is reduced by freshly prepared ascorbic acid (AA) solution to obtain gold nanoporous film electrode. Then the Pt nanoparticle is grown on the electrode by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The resulting PGNF electrode has highly ordered arrangement and large surface area, as verified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and CV, suggesting that the nanoporous gold film electrode provides a good matrix for obtaining PGNF with high surface area. Furthermore, the as-prepared PGNF electrode exhibited high electrocatalytic activity toward methanol oxidation in a 0.5 M H 2SO 4 solution containing 1.5 M methanol. The present novel strategy is expected to reduce the cost of the Pt catalyst remarkably.     

A new simple preparation of platinum-nickel alloy nanoparticles and their characterization as an electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation

Pt-Ni alloy nanoparticles were produced by casting 2 or 10 mM H₂PtCl₆ solutions on a Ni column. The apparent particle size for the resultant Pt-Ni alloys increased with the concentration of the H₂PtCl₆ solution, while the content of Pt in the alloy decreased. The potential sweeps of 5 cycles in an H₂SO₄ aqueous solution for Pt-Ni (2 mM)/Ni and Pt-Ni (10 mM)/Ni electrodes led to electrochemical behavior similar to a polycrystalline Pt electrode, suggesting the formation of a few thin Pt layers on each Pt-Ni alloy surface. In electrochemical measurements, both Pt-Ni/Ni electrodes showed more negative onset potential of methanol oxidation and slower degradation of oxidation current of methanol than the polycrystalline Pt electrode. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of both Pt-Ni/Ni electrodes showed the shift of Pt4f peaks to a higher binding energy, suggesting that the increase in the d vacancy in the balance band 5d orbital of Pt contributed to the improved electrocatalytic activity and durability of the Pt-Ni/Ni electrodes.