Bimetallic Cu–Pt/nanoporous carbon composite as an efficient catalyst for methanol oxidation

A novel bimetallic Cu–Pt nanoparticle supported onto Cu/indirectly carbonized nanoporous carbon composite (Cu–Pt/ICNPCC) was prepared through a two-step process: first, carbonization of furfuryl alcohol-infiltrated MOF-199 [metal–organic framework Cu₃(BTC)₂ (BTC?=?1,3,5-benzene tricarboxylate)], without removing the Cu metal with HF aqueous solution; second, the partial galvanic replacement reaction (GRR) of Cu nanoparticles by Pt^IV upon immersion in a platinum(IV) chloride solution. The synthesized materials characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and electrochemical methods. The EDS result revealed that part of Cu nanoparticles have been substituted by Pt nanoparticles after GRR. The methanol oxidation at the surface of Cu–Pt/ICNPCC was investigated by cyclic voltammetry method in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ and indicated good electro-catalytic activity towards methanol oxidation (E_p?=?0.85 V vs. NHE and j_f?=?1.00 mA cm^?2). It is suggested that this improvement is attributed to the effect of proper Cu/ICNPCC for fine dispersion, efficient adhesion, and prevention of Pt coalescing.     

AC impedance investigation of plating potentials on the catalytic activities of Pt nanocatalysts for methanol electrooxidation

Pt nanocatalysts supported on glassy carbon (GC) were electrochemically deposited by cyclic voltammetry (CV) with different scanning potential ranges. The lower limit of potential was fixed at −0.25 V vs. saturated calomel electrode, whereas the upper limit of potential was adjusted to be 0.0, 0.20, 0.60, and 1.0 V. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that Pt microparticles are uniformly dispersed on the GC substrate and the agglomerated microparticles are composed of numerous nanoparticles. In addition, the catalytic capabilities of Pt/GCs for methanol electrooxidation were examined by CV, chronoamperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in a solution of 0.5 M CH₃OH and 0.5 M H₂SO₄. The results demonstrate that the catalytic activities and stabilities of Pt catalysts prepared by the potential ranges from −0.25 to both 0.60 and 1.0 V for methanol electrooxidation were higher than the others, which may be due to their higher electrochemical active surface area, lower charge transfer resistance, and more preferred Pt crystallographic orientation.     

Electroreduction of carbon monoxide on palladium electrodeposits in solutions containing copper ions

It is shown that the electroreduction of CO proceeds on electrolytic deposits of palladium (edPd) in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ + (1–5) mM CuSO₄ + CO(sat) solutions at the potentials more positive than the Cu²⁺/Cu equilibrium potential. Among the CO reduction products, methanol and formaldehyde are identified. The current efficiency with respect to CH₃OH exceeds 75% on edPd formed in 1% PdCl₂+0.5 M H₂SO₄ solutions. In addition, Cu⁺ ions, which probably form complexes with CO, are detected in the solution and are assumed to play the role of intermediate species in the mediator catalysis along with copper adatoms.     

EQCM Study of Ru and RuO2 Surface Electrochemistry

The present study represents comparative analysis of voltammetric and microgravimetric behavior of active ruthenium (Ru), electrochemically passivated ruthenium (Ru/RuO₂) and thermally formed RuO₂ electrodes in the solutions of 0.5 M H₂SO₄ and 0.1 M KOH. It has been found that cycling the potential of active Ru electrode within E ranges 0 V–0.8 V and 0 V–1.2 V in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ and 0.1 M KOH solutions, respectively, leads to continuous electrode mass increase, while mass changes observed in alkaline medium are considerably smaller than those in acidic one. Microgravimetric response of active Ru electrode in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ within 0.2 V–0.8 V has revealed reversible character of anodic and cathodic processes. The experimentally found anodic mass gain and cathodic mass loss within 0.2–0.8 V make 2.2–2.7 g F^?1, instead of 17 g F^?1, which is the theoretically predicted value for Ru(OH)₃ formation according to equation: Ru+3H₂O?Ru(OH)₃+3H⁺+3e^?. In the case of Ru/RuO₂ electrode relatively small changes in mass have been found to accompany the anodic and cathodic processes within E range between 0.4 V and 1.2 V in the solution of 0.5 M H₂SO₄. Meanwhile cycling the potential of thermally formed RuO₂ electrode under the same conditions has lead to continuous decrease in electrode mass, which has been attributed to irreversible dehydration of RuO₂ layer. On the basis of microgravimetric and voltammetric study as well as the coulometric analysis of the results conclusions are presented regarding the nature of surface processes taking place on Ru and RuO₂ electrodes.     

Preparation of MoO3/Pt electrodes by electrodeposition for a direct methanol fuel cell

MoO₃/Pt binary catalysts with various Mo/Pt ratios were prepared by an electrodeposition method for use as the anode in a direct methanol fuel cell. Pt was electrodeposited onto indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate, and then MoO₃ was electrodeposited from an Mo-peroxo electrolyte on the top of Pt with different deposition times. The crystallinity of synthesized films was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the oxidation state of both the platinum and molybdenum were determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. Scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) was employed to investigate the surface morphology and composition. The catalytic activity and stability for methanol oxidation were measured using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry in a mixture of 0.5 M H₂SO₄ and 0.5 M CH₃OH aqueous solution. Electrocatalytic activity for CO oxidation was also evaluated in a 0.5-M H₂SO₄ solution. The addition of a proper amount of MoO₃ was found to significantly improve both the catalytic activity and stability for methanol oxidation.     

IR Study of a Polymer Proton-Conducting Electrolyte Based on Poly(vinyl alcohol) and Phenol-2,4-Disulfonic Acid

The structure and hydration of phenol-2,4-disulfonic acid in the individual state and in the system with poly(vinyl alcohol) at low and high humidity levels are studied by IR spectroscopy. It is shown that all characteristic features of the electrolytic dissociation of phenol-2,4-disulfonic acid via proton transfer from acid molecules to the molecules of water in the liquid phase of the binary system phenol-2,4-disulfonic acid–water are also observed for the viscous solutions of the triple system poly(vinyl alcohol)–phenol-2,4-disulfonic acid–water, although differences make themselves evident if water molecules are in deficiency. It is found that evacuation of the phenol-2,4-disulfonic acid film for several hours at room temperature leads to its dehydration and eventually causes formation of molecular dimers [C₆H₃OH(SO₂OH)₂]₂. A similar operation with the poly(vinyl alcohol)–phenol-2,4-disulfonic acid film is completed by the transfer of a proton from the acid molecule to the–ОН group of poly(vinyl alcohol) according to the following scheme: nC₆H₃OH(SO₂OH)₂ + (–CH₂OH) _n → nC₆H₃OH(SO₃)(SO₂OH)^– + (–CH₂OH₂) _n ⁺ .     

甲醇浓度对Pt/C催化剂氧还原活性的影响

采用半池考察了Pt/C催化剂在含不同浓度甲醇的0.5mol/L硫酸中的氧还原活性(ORR).研究发现,当甲醇浓度为0.1mol/L时,Pt/C催化剂的ORR活性最高,在催化层上热压商品NafionNRE-212膜后也出现同样趋势.线性扫描伏安曲线显示,压膜前后的Pt/C催化剂的ORR活性在含0.1mol/L甲醇的0.5mol/L硫酸中几乎没有变化.电化学阻抗谱结果表明,在该溶液中,Nafion膜的电阻比在其它电解液中低,这可能是导致Pt/C催化剂ORR活性提高的主要原因.有必要关注Nafion膜的这一异常性质并通过特殊设计后用于电池堆,以提高燃料电池性能.     

Influence of Pt and Au nanophases on electrochromism of WO3 in nanostructure thin-film electrodes

We report electrochromic properties of WO₃ in Au–WO₃ and Pt–WO₃ nanostructure thin-film electrodes prepared by co-sputtering deposition method. The nanostructure electrodes consisted of Au or Pt metallic nanophase and a tungsten oxidative phase, indicating the formation of crystalline metallic nanophases in the amorphous oxide matrix. In particular, due to metallic nanophases, the modified electrochromic properties of WO₃ were observed in the Au–WO₃ and Pt–WO₃. The nanostructure electrodes showed a reverse optical modulation with respect to applied potentials in H₂SO₄ solution compared to that of pure WO₃ electrode. However, due to an excellent electrocatalytic activity of platinum for methanol electrooxidation at 25 °C, the electrochromism of the Pt–WO₃ in contrast with that of the Au–WO₃ was affected by the potentials for methanol electrooxidation in 2 M CH₃OH and 0.5 M H₂SO₄.     

Effect of ionic composition of solutions on the methanol reaction with adsorbed oxygen on smooth polycrystalline platinum electrodes: Transients of the open-circuit potential

Transients of the open-circuit potential observed in the reaction of methanol with oxygen (O_ads) preliminarily adsorbed on smooth polycrystalline platinum (pcPt) are measured in 0.05 M HClO₄, 0.5 M HClO₄, 0.05 M H₂SO₄, 0.05 M H₂SO₄ + 0.45 M Na₂SO₄, and 0.05 M H₂SO₄ + 0.45 M Cs₂SO₄. It is shown that the solution pH has a weak effect on the transient characteristics (when the reversible hydrogen electrode potential scale is used). This confirms the chemical nature of rate-controlling stages in the reaction mechanism. The changes in the reaction rate, observed upon going from one electrolyte to another, are preferentially associated with the involvement of solution ions in the formation of activated surface complexes that include CH₃OH, O_ads, and supporting-electrolyte components.     

Electroreduction of alkylphenones in diaphragmless cell with soluble anode

Electroreduction of alkylphenones Ph-CO-(CH₂)₂R, where R = CH₃-, C₂H₅-, C₄H₉-, allows the corresponding diols of the general composition [R(CH₂)₂-PhC(OH)-PhC(OH)-(CH₂)₂R] to be synthesized. This process was carried out in 0.2 M Et₄NBr solution in dimethylformamide under the conditions of diaphragmless galvanostatic electrolysis with a Pt cathode and a Mg (Zn) anode at a current of 0.2 A and a temperature of 30°C. Optimization of this process makes it possible to synthesize a mixture of meso/dl isomers of target products (the meso/dl ratio depends on the R size and varies from 1/0.30 to 1/0.08) with the overall yields of 31–62% per the loaded ketone for its conversion by 52–86%.     

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic study of the interaction of supported metal catalysts with NO<Subscript>x</Subscript>

The reactions of the platinum and rhodium model catalysts applied to aluminum oxide with NO_x (10 Torr NO + 10 Torr O₂) were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The reaction conducted at room temperature formed on the surface of the oxide support the NO _3,s ^? nitrate ions characterized by the N1s line at 407.4 eV and O1s line at 533.1 eV and the NO _2,s ^? nitrite ions characterized by the N1s line with a binding energy of 404.7 eV. At the same time, the Pt4f and Rh3d lines of the supported platinum particles are shifted toward higher binding energies by 0.5–1.0 eV and 0.7–1.2 eV, respectively. It is assumed that the binding energies increase due to changes in the chemical state of the platinum metal in which oxygen is dissolved. The reaction of NO_x with Pt/Al₂O₃ at 200°C forms platinum oxide defined by the Pt4f _7/2 line with a binding energy of 72.3 eV.     

The effect of electrochemically treated glassy carbon on the activity of supported Pt catalyst in methanol oxidation

Effect of electrochemical oxidation of glassy carbon on deposition of platinum particles and electrocatalytic activity of platinum supported on oxidized glassy carbon (Pt/GC_OX) were studied for methanol oxidation in H₂SO₄ solution. Platinum was potentiostatically deposited from H₂SO₄ + H₂PtCl₆ solution. Glassy carbon was anodically polarised in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ at 2.25 V vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE) during 35 s. Electrochemical treatment of GC support, affecting not significantly the real Pt surface area, leads to a better distribution of platinum on the substrate and has remarkable effect on the activity. The activity of the Pt/GC_OX electrode for methanol oxidation is larger than polycrystalline Pt and for more than one order of magnitude larger than Pt/GC electrode. This increase in activity indicates the pronounced role of organic residues of GC support on the properties of Pt particles deposited on glassy carbon.     

Competition between H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O and CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>OH molecules in the formation of the simplest stable proton disolvates and their solvation in aqueous methanol solutions of KOH and CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>OK

IR spectroscopic and quantum chemical methods are used to study the competition between water and methanol molecules in the formation of the simplest stable proton disolvates and their subsequent solvation in the case of solutions of KOH in CH₃OH and CH₃OK in H₂O with similar stoichiometries (~1:3-3.5). The complexes found in these solutions are analysed to determine their composition and structure: they are found to be heteroions (CH₃O?H?OH)^– solvated by two similar solvent molecules. In both cases, there are virtually no complexes of the second possible type (CH₃OH·(CH₃O?H?OCH₃)^–··H₂O or CH₃OH·(HO?H?OH)^–·H₂O), which appears to be due to the stoichiometric compositions of the solutions. It is shown that a DFT calculation (B3LYP/6-31++G(d,p)) of linear complexes with strong (~15-30 kcal/mol) H bonds reproduces, with good accuracy, the IR spectra of the solutions, which consist mainly of these complexes.     

Onium salts of sulfur-containing oxyanions resulting from reaction of sulfur(IV) oxide with aqueous solutions of 1,2-diamines and morpholine

Reaction products have been isolated from SO₂–L–H₂O–О2 systems (L = ethylenediamine, N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine, piperazine, and morpholine) as onium salts [H₃NCH₂CH₂NH₃]SO₄, [(CH₃)₂NHCH₂CH₂NH(CH₃)₂]SO₄, [(CH₃)₂NHCH₂CH₂NH(CH₃)₂]S₂O₆ ? H₂O, [C₄H₈N₂H₄]SO₃ ? H₂O, [C₄H₈N₂H₄]S₂O₆, [C₄H₈N₂H₄]SO₄ ? H₂O, [O(C₂H₄)₂NH₂]₂SO₄ ? H₂O. The prepared compounds have been characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, IR and mass spectroscopy.     

Mechanism of interaction of molecular hydrogen with adsorbed oxygen on platinum electrodes under open circuit conditions

Transients of open-circuit potential observed at the reaction of hydrogen molecules with oxygen preliminarily adsorbed (O_ads) on the smooth polycrystalline (pc Pt) and platinized platinum (Pt/Pt) electrodes are measured under conditions of controlled stirring of solution (0.5 M H₂ SO₄). The dependence of the surface coverage with O_ads(θ_O) on the potential in the cause of the potential decay on pc Pt are determined. It is found that for Pt/Pt, the reaction kinetics is largely determined by diffusion of H₂. For pc Pt in the range of high θ_O, the Eley-Ridiel mechanism is realized. For medium θ_O, the regions where the reaction obeys the mechanisms of Eley-Ridiel, “conjugated reactions”, and diffusion control are observed to overlap (even at the most intense stirring possible). The rate of H₂ reaction with O_ads is substantially higher compared with analogous reactions of CO, HCOOH, and CH₃OH.     

A comprehensive mechanism for methanol oxidation

A comprehensive detailed chemical kinetic mechanism for methanol oxidation has been developed and validated against multiple experimental data sets. The data are from static-reactor, flow-reactor, shock-tube, and laminar-flame experiments, and cover conditions of temperature from 633–2050 K, pressure from 0.26–20 atm, and equivalence ratio from 0.05–2.6. Methanol oxidation is found to be highly sensitive to the kinetics of the hydroperoxyl radical through a chain-branching reaction sequence involving hydrogen peroxide at low temperatures, and a chain-terminating path at high temperatures. The sensitivity persists at unusually high temperatures due to the fast reaction of CH₂OH+O₂=CH₂O+HO₂ compared to CH₂OH+M=CH₂O+H+M. The branching ratio of CH₃OH+OH=CH₂OH/CH₃O+H₂O was found to be a more important parameter under the higher temperature conditions, due to the rate-controlling nature of the branching reaction of the H-atom formed through CH₃O thermal decomposition. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 30: 805–830, 1998     

Electrochemical synthesis of a novel platinum nanostructure on a glassy carbon electrode, and its application to the electrooxidation of methanol

We show that the addition of white dextrin during the electrochemical deposition of platinum nanostructures (nano-Pt) on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) results in an electrochemically active surface that is much larger than that of platinum microparticles prepared by the same procedure but in the absence of dextrin. The nano-Pt deposits are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy, and electrochemical methods. The SEM images reveal deposits composed of mainly nanoparticles and short nanorods. The GCE was applied as a novel and cost-effective catalyst for methanol oxidation. The use of nano-Pt improves the electrocatalytic activity and the stability of the electrodes.

5,15-bis(4′-methoxyphenyl)-3,7,13,17-tetramethyl-2,8,12,18-tetraethylporphin axial complexes of rhenium: Synthesis and reactions in protic solvents

The spectral (UV–Vis, IR, and NMR ¹H) properties and the state of oxorhenium(V) complexes with 5,15-bis(4′-methoxyphenyl)-3,7,13,17-tetramethyl-2,8,12,18-tetraethylporphin H₂P (O=Re(X)P) in protic solvents have been studied depending on the axial trans-ligand X^– (X = Cl, OPh, or OH). The O=Re(Cl)P, O=Re(OPh)P, and O=Re(OH)P in AcOH and CF3COOH are subjected to reaction of substitution their axial ligands with solvent molecules or anions, while remaining stable to the dissociation of M–N bonds and to oxidation both to the macrocyclic ligand and to the central metal cation. Quantitative parameters of the coordination of molecular oxygen by O=Re(Cl)P in 17.4–18.2 M H₂SO₄ to form O=Re(O₂)P⁺ · Cl^– have been obtained, these parameters being independent of the initial H₂SO₄ concentration. The character of peripheral functional substituents in H₂P has been shown to be responsible for the stability of the studied oxo complexes to chemical oxidation in aerated acids.     

Transient Currents of Carbon Monoxide and Methanol Adsorption on Platinum Electrodes and Determination of Composition of Chemisorption Layers

Transients of currents during the adsorption of CO on polycrystalline (pc) Pt in solutions of H₂SO₄ and H₂SO₄ + HCl are measured at a constant potential. The obtained values are compared with relevant reference data for Pt electrodes. Possible reasons for the established differences are discussed. Transient currents for the methanol adsorption on pcPt and Pt/Pt are compared. A method for correct determination of the composition of a chemisorption layer, which forms during dissociative adsorption of simple organic compounds of the type of RH _m , is considered. Experimental data on the methanol adsorption suggest that adsorption products on pcPt are chiefly species of CO. On Pt/Pt, at low potentials, in addition to CO one should assume the adsorption of species of HCO in perceptible amounts.