Electrochemical surface characterization and O2 reduction kinetics of Se surface-modified ru nanoparticle-based RuSe(y)/C catalysts

The electrochemical properties of Se surface-modified Ru/C catalysts (RuSey/C with y = 0 to 1) and their O2 reduction characteristics were determined in model studies under well-defined mass transport conditions, combining quantitative differential electrochemical mass spectrometry and double-disk electrode thin-layer flow-cell measurements. Surface characterization of the catalysts including the quantitative evaluation of the active surface area was performed by electrochemical/mass spectrometric (combined H-upd adsorption, preadsorbed CO monolayer oxidation, Cu-upd adsorption/stripping, and RuOx formation) methods. The suitability of these methods for the determination of the active surface area in the high and low Se coverage regime are discussed, and COad stripping is found to be the most relevant method for the present catalysts. The kinetic parameters for the ORR (activity and selectivity) under quasi-steady-state conditions and their variation with Se modification were evaluated in potentiostatic flow-cell measurements. Modification of Ru/C catalyst by Se improves the O2 reduction activity and reduces the tendency for H2O2 formation in the technically relevant potential region of 0.6-0.8 VRHE, but even for the best catalyst compositions a significant ( approximately 0.2 VRHE) overpotential for O2 reduction on the RuSey/C catalysts remains compared to that for the Pt/C catalyst, and we find H2O2 yields of at least 1% at typical cathode operation potentials. Consequences of the relatively high H2O2 yields for membrane/electrode stability in practical applications are discussed.     

The problem of Ru dissolution from Pt–Ru catalysts during fuel cell operation: analysis and solutions

Platinum–ruthenium catalysts are widely used as anode materials in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEMFCs) operating with reformate gas and in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). Ruthenium dissolution from the Pt–Ru anode catalyst at potentials higher than 0.5?V vs. DHE, followed by migration and deposition to the Pt cathode can give rise to a decrease of the activity of both anode and cathode catalysts and to a worsening of cell performance. A major challenge for a suitable application of Pt–Ru catalysts in PEMFC and DMFC is to improve their stability against Ru dissolution. The purpose of this paper is to provide a better knowledge of the problem of Ru dissolution from Pt–Ru catalysts and its effect on fuel cell performance. The different ways to resolve this problem are discussed.     

Sn改性的Ru/H-CMK-3催化剂的制备及其肉桂醛选择性加氢性能的研究

用浸渍-原位还原法制备了Ru-Sn/H-CMK-3催化剂. 以肉桂醛选择性加氢制备肉桂醇为探针反应. 详细研究了催化剂的制备及反应条件对肉桂醛选择性加氢性能的影响. 采用X 射线粉末衍射(XRD)、比表面积(BET)、X光电子能谱(XPS)、透射电镜(TEM)等手段对催化剂结构和性质进行了表征. 结果表明, 介孔CMK-3碳材料能够更好地分散活性物种. 添加适量的Sn(IV)有利于Ru处于电子富集状态. 催化剂的主要活性物种是纳米Ru粒子, Ru和Sn之间的相互作用更加有利于C＝O的活化. 同时, 反应温度和反应压力等条件的变化对肉桂醛选择性加氢制备肉桂醇反应也具有较大的影响.     

直接甲醇燃料电池电催化剂性能衰减研究

通过单电池放电试验, 考察了直接甲醇燃料电池(DMFC)电催化剂的性能衰减情况. 透射电镜(TEM)和X射线衍射分析(XRD)结果表明, 放电试验后阳极电催化剂的粒径变化很小, 而阴极电催化剂的粒径则显著增大. DMFC内部的液相环境是促使Pt粒子聚结的主要原因. 阳极催化剂中Ru的存在抑制了Pt粒子的生长. 阳极和阴极电催化剂的电化学表面积(ECSA)在放电后都有所降低, 且下降幅度均高于比表面积(SSA)的下降幅度. 放电过程中阳极电催化剂发生了Ru的流失.     

The efficient synthesis of a molybdenum carbide catalyst via H2-thermal treatment of a Mo(VI)-hexamethylenetetramine complex

An efficient method for preparation of Mo(2)C catalyst is described, where Mo(2)C is obtained by the heat treatment of a single solid precursor containing (NH(4))(6)Mo(7)O(24) and hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) at 923 K in H(2) flow without conventional prolonged carbonization. The catalysts are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), BET surface area measurement, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Furthermore, these catalysts are evaluated in the dibenzothiophene (DBT) hydrodesulfurization (HDS) reaction, and proved to be superior to those prepared by a temperature-programmed reduction (TPRe) method. The better catalytic performance is ascribed to higher dispersion of Mo(2)C on the support and a lower surface polymeric carbon content. This hydrogen thermal treatment (HTT) method provided a new strategy for the preparation of a highly active molybdenum carbide catalyst.     

改性铝土矿载体负载Ru催化剂上的水煤气变换制氢

采用水热法对天然铝土矿进行改性,获得高比表面积的铝土矿(bauxite)载体.用等体积浸渍法制备了Ru含量为1.0%-4.0%(质量分数,下同)的Ru/bauxite催化剂和Ru含量为2.0%的Ru/Al2O3催化剂,以水煤气变换反应为探针反应,考察了催化剂性能.利用X射线荧光元素分析(XRF)、X射线粉末衍射(XRD)、低温N2物理吸附、H2程序升温还原(H2-TPR)以及CO程序升温脱附(CO-TPD)等对载体和催化剂样品进行表征.结果表明,不同Ru含量的Ru/bauxite催化剂具有优异的水煤气变换制氢性能,优于Ru/Al2O3催化剂.其原因是铝土矿本身含有的Fe2O3与负载的Ru之间发生了相互作用,降低了Fe2O3还原温度,提高了对CO的吸附能力且降低了CO的脱附温度,进而提高了催化剂的水煤气变换反应性能.     

Preparation and characterization of nano-sized Pt-Ru/C catalysts and their superior catalytic activities for methanol and ethanol oxidation

Carbon-supported PtRu nanoparticles (Ru/Pt: 0.25) were prepared by three different methods; simultaneous reduction of PtCl(4) and RuCl(3) (catalyst I) and changing the reduction order of PtCl(4) and RuCl(3) (catalysts II and III) to enhance the performance of the anodic catalysts for methanol and ethanol oxidation. Structure, microstructure and surface characterizations of all the catalysts were carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results of the XRD analysis showed that all catalysts had a face-centered cubic (fcc) structure with different and smaller lattice parameters than that of pure platinum, showing that the Ru incorporates into the Pt fcc structure by different ratios in all the catalysts. The typical particle sizes of all catalysts were in the range of 2-3 nm. The most active and stable catalyst for methanol and ethanol oxidation is catalyst III, in which a large amount (more than 90%) of PtRu alloy formation was observed. It has been found that this catalyst is about 8.0 and 33.4 times more active at ～0.60 V towards the methanol and ethanol oxidation reactions, respectively, compared to the commercial Pt catalyst.     

An infrared study of CO adsorption on silica-supported Ru-Sn catalysts

CO adsorption on Ru-Sn/SiO(2) catalysts of various Sn/(Ru+Sn) ratios was examined by Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier-Transform Spectroscopy (DRIFTS). The catalysts were prepared by the incipient wetness impregnation method. Catalysts were activated by H(2) reduction at 773 K. CO adsorbed on the catalysts shows spectra whose band frequencies are divided into three groups: (i) High Frequency Region (HFR), containing a band at 2065 cm(-1), (ii) Low Frequency Region 1 (LFR(1)), containing bands at 2040-2015 cm(-1), (iii) Low Frequency Region 2 (LFR(2)), containing bands at 1990 and 1945 cm(-1). The types of adsorbed CO species formed strongly depend on the ratio Sn/(Ru+Sn) in the catalyst, CO pressure and temperature of adsorption. Adsorption of CO on Ru sites in the Ru/SiO(2) catalyst results in LFR(1) bands at 2040-2015 cm(-1), which are independent of the CO pressure but the adsorption complexes are easily destroyed by raising the temperature. The addition of Sn to the catalyst creates new sites for CO adsorption. After adsorption at 298 K, the HFR band at 2065 cm(-1) and LFR(2) bands at 1990-1950 cm(-1) are observed. The relative intensities of these bands increase with increasing Sn-content in the samples. The LFR bands are thermally stable while the HFR band is not. The formation of the corresponding species is favored by increasing the CO pressure. Adsorbed CO species giving LFR(1) bands are assigned to linearly-adsorbed CO on the Ru(0) and/or on the Ru-Sn alloy sites. Adsorbed CO species giving HFR bands are assigned to CO adsorption on Ru(delta+)-O-Sn sites. After low temperature CO adsorption on samples with high Sn-content, only species that show bands at 1990 and 1945 cm(-1) in LFR(2) are observed.     

Sn修饰的猝冷骨架NiMo催化剂上的乙二醇液相重整制氢

以猝冷法制备了三元Ni47.8Mo2.2Al50合金,经碱处理活化抽Al及SnCl2修饰,得到了Sn修饰的猝冷骨架Ni-Mo催化剂(RQ SnxNiMo).结果表明,Sn的修饰对催化剂的组成、织构、结构及表面活性位均有显著的影响.将该催化剂应用于乙二醇液相重整反应中,发现Sn的加入使H2选择性大幅度提高.在RQ Sn10NiMo催化剂上,在乙二醇高转化率下,H2选择性达到98.7%,且有效抑制了烷烃的生成.结合催化剂的表征及反应动力学结果,讨论了Sn对猝冷骨架NiMo催化剂的修饰作用.     

Effect Of Transition Metals On Catalytic Performance Of Ru／Sepiolite Catalyst For Methanation Of Carbon Dioxide

The effects of Mo,Mn and Zr transitional metals on the catalytic performance of Ru/sepiolite for CO2 methanation were investigated. The results indicated that addition of the transitional metals affected the activity of the Ru/sepiolite remarkably,and the activities of the catalysts were closely associated with the electronic state of the ruthenium surface,The addition of Mo increased the active surface area,the Ru dispersity,the number of active sites,and the resistance to poisoning.According to the Transition State Theory,when Mo is added into the Ru/sepiolite catalyst,the decrease in surface energy is at a cost of an increment in steric hindrance.When T≤674K,the energy factor was dominating,and resulted in a decreasing in the ratio of S(CH4)/(CO).Otherwise,the steric factor dominated the reaction course.     

铂纳米棒有序阵列催化电极在被动式直接甲醇燃料电池中的应用

直接甲醇燃料电池(DMFC)具有能量密度高、无需充电、液体燃料添加便捷及环境友好等优点,是新一代便携式移动电源研究热点. DMFC规模应用的主要技术挑战是如何进一步提高电池性能、显著降低成本和可靠延长寿命.催化电极作为 DMFC发电核心和成本的集中体现,其电催化活性和贵金属用量直接影响 DMFC的性能和成本,开发高性能、低成本的催化电极对推进 DMFC实用化进程具有重要意义.特别是在被动式 DMFC中,阴极催化电极不仅需要提高电催化活性和大幅降低贵金属用量,而且还面临内部严重的“水淹”和氧传质受限等问题.近年来,随着纳米技术发展,有序纳米结构已逐渐应用于 DMFC催化电极的构筑中,电池性能得到显著提高.然而,目前的研究主要集中在膜电极纳米有序微孔层、纳米有序改性膜和纳米有序阳极催化电极及其阳极贵金属载量降低等方面,关于阴极催化电极在有序纳米结构以及载量降低等方面的研究相对较少.
　　本文采用模板法直接在微孔层上电沉积定向生长排列有序、直径可控的铂纳米棒阵列,并作为阴极催化电极应用于被动式 DMFC. X射线衍射和透射电镜结果表明,该铂纳米棒结构稳定,表面含有丰富的纳米晶须结构,有利于催化电极比表面积增加和电催化活性提高.不同催化电极上氧还原的极化曲线表明电极性能依下列次序变化：直径为200 nm铂纳米棒阵列电极>100 nm铂纳米棒阵列电极>商业化铂黑催化电极.电池性能表征表明,长度为1–3μm、直径分别为200和100 nm、载量为1.0 mg/cm2的铂纳米棒阵列作为阴极催化电极的 DMFC最大功率密度分别为17.3和12.0 mW/cm2.通过催化电极电化学活性面积和阻抗测试,分析其性能提高的原因可归结于有序排列的铂纳米棒阵列结构提高了电化学活性面积、增强了氧还原电催化活性并促进了阴极氧的传质.     

负载型钌催化剂催化山梨醇氢解制乙二醇(英)

Supported Ru catalysts were prepared by wet impregnation to evaluate the role of different oxide supports(Al_2O_3,SiO_2,TiO_2,ZrO_2) in sorbitol hydrogenolysis to glycols.X-ray diffraction,transmission electron microscopy,hydrogen chemisorption,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy,and NH3temperature-programmed desorption were used to characterize the catalysts,which were active in the hydrogenolysis of sorbitol.The support affected both the physicochemical properties and catalytic behavior of the supported Ru particles.The characterization results revealed that the Ru/Al_2O_3catalyst has a high surface acidity,partially oxidized Ru species on the surface,and a higher surface Ru/Al atomic ratio,which gave it the highest selectivity and yield to glycols.     

Effect of Ru addition on the structural characteristics and the electrochemical activity for ethanol oxidation of carbon supported Pt–Sn alloy catalysts

Binary Pt–Sn/C (1:1) and ternary Pt–Sn–Ru/C (1:1:0.3 and 1:1:1) catalysts were synthesized by reduction of precursors with formic acid, and their activity for ethanol oxidation was compared with that of commercial Pt/C and Pt–Ru/C catalysts. Linear sweep voltammetry measurements at 40 and 90 °C showed that for potentials higher than 0.3 V vs. RHE, the Pt–Sn–Ru/C (1:1:0.3) catalyst presents the highest activity for ethanol electro-oxidation, while the electrochemical activity of the Pt–Sn–Ru/C (1:1:1) catalyst was lower than that of both the binary Pt–Sn/C and Pt–Ru/C catalysts. Tests in a single direct ethanol fuel cell confirmed the superior performance of the Pt–Sn–Ru/C (1:1:0.3) electrocatalyst. The positive effect of the Ru presence in the Pt–Sn–Ru/C (1:1:0.3) catalyst was ascribed to the interactions between Sn and Ru oxides.     

Highly active iridium/iridium-tin/tin oxide heterogeneous nanoparticles as alternative electrocatalysts for the ethanol oxidation reaction

Ethanol is a promising fuel for low-temperature direct fuel cell reactions due to its low toxicity, ease of storage and transportation, high-energy density, and availability from biomass. However, the implementation of ethanol fuel cell technology has been hindered by the lack of low-cost, highly active anode catalysts. In this paper, we have studied Iridium (Ir)-based binary catalysts as low-cost alternative electrocatalysts replacing platinum (Pt)-based catalysts for the direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) reaction. We report the synthesis of carbon supported Ir(71)Sn(29) catalysts with an average diameter of 2.7 ± 0.6 nm through a "surfactant-free" wet chemistry approach. The complementary characterization techniques, including aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy equipped with electron energy loss spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, are used to identify the "real" heterogeneous structure of Ir(71)Sn(29)/C particles as Ir/Ir-Sn/SnO(2), which consists of an Ir-rich core and an Ir-Sn alloy shell with SnO(2) present on the surface. The Ir(71)Sn(29)/C heterogeneous catalyst exhibited high electrochemical activity toward the ethanol oxidation reaction compared to the commercial Pt/C (ETEK), PtRu/C (Johnson Matthey) as well as PtSn/C catalysts. Electrochemical measurements and density functional theory calculations demonstrate that the superior electro-activity is directly related to the high degree of Ir-Sn alloy formation as well as the existence of nonalloyed SnO(2) on surface. Our cross-disciplinary work, from novel "surfactant-free" synthesis of Ir-Sn catalysts, theoretical simulations, and catalytic measurements to the characterizations of "real" heterogeneous nanostructures, will not only highlight the intriguing structure-property correlations in nanosized catalysts but also have a transformative impact on the commercialization of DEFC technology by replacing Pt with low-cost, highly active Ir-based catalysts.     

High throughput screening of low temperature CO oxidation catalysts using IR thermography

The catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide is an important process used in several areas such as respiratory protection, industrial air purification, automotive emissions control, CO clean-up of flue gases and fuel cells. Research in this area has mainly focused on the improvement of catalytic activity at low temperatures. Numerous catalyst systems have been proposed, including those based on Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Au, Ag, and Cu, supported on refractory or reducible carriers or dispersed in perovskites. Well known commercial catalyst formulations for room temperature CO oxidation are based on CuMn2O4 (hopcalite) and CuCoAgMnOx mixed oxides. We have applied high-throughput and combinatorial methodologies to the discovery of more efficient catalysts for low temperature CO oxidation. The screening approach was based on a hierarchy of qualitative and semi-quantitative primary screens for the discovery of hits, and quantitative secondary screens for hit confirmation, lead optimization and scale-up. Parallel IR thermography was the primary screen, allowing one wafer-formatted library of 256 catalysts to be screened in approximately 1 hour. Multi-channel fixed bed reactors equipped with imaging reflection FTIR spectroscopy or GC were used for secondary screening. Novel RuCoCe compositions were discovered and optimized for CO oxidation and the effect of doping was investigated for supported and bulk mixed oxide catalysts. Another family of active hits that compare favorably with the Pt/Al2O3 benchmark is based on RuSn, where Sn can be used as a dopant (e.g. RuSn/SiO2) and/or as a high surface area carrier (e.g., SnO2 or Sn containing mixed metal oxides). Also, RuCu binary compositions were found to be active after a reduction pretreatment with hydrogen.     

Recent development of methanol electrooxidation catalysts for direct methanol fuel cell

Direct methanol fuel cells(DMFCs) are very promising power source for stationary and portable miniature electric appliances due to its high efficiency and low emissions of pollutants. As the key material, catalysts for both cathode and anode face several problems which hinder the commercialization of DMFCs.In this review, we mainly focus on anode catalysts of DMFCs. The process and mechanism of methanol electrooxidation on Pt and Pt-based catalysts in acidic medium have been introduced. The influences of size effect and morphology on electrocatalytic activity are discussed though whether there is a size effect in MOR catalyst is under debate. Besides, the non Pt catalysts are also listed to emphasize though Pt is still deemed as the indispensable element in anode catalyst of DMFCs in acidic medium. Different catalyst systems are compared to illustrate the level of research at present. Some debates need to be verified with experimental evidences.     

Low Pt content Pt–Ru–Ir–Sn quaternary catalysts for anodic methanol oxidation in DMFC

In this communication we report our research work on low Pt content Pt–Ru–Ir–Sn quaternary catalysts for use in DMFC anodes. The carbon-supported quaternary metal alloy catalyst was synthesized according to the solution reduction method and was deposited onto a carbon fiber paper or a carbon aerogel nanofoam to form the anode for direct methanol fuel cells. The Pt loading of the electrode is 0.1 mg/cm². The testing results from a three-electrode electrochemical cell show that the simultaneous use of higher Ir (25–35 wt.%) and Sn (10 wt.%) content gives satisfactory stability and higher activity for methanol oxidation than the commercially available E-TEK anode (80%[0.5Pt 0.5Ru]/C on carbon cloth). Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Bruner–Emmett–Teller method (BET) measurements were carried out to characterize the composition, structure, morphology, and surface area of the developed catalysts.     

甲烷干重整反应用Ni-Ru/MgAl类水滑石催化剂的研究

采用焙烧记忆法分别制备Ni/Mg Al O和NiRu/Mg Al O类水滑石催化剂用于甲烷干重整反应.利用XRD、TPR、TG、XPS、CO2-TPD、TEM等表征催化剂的结构及失活特征,发现在Ni/Mg Al O中添加Ru,有利于增加催化剂表面Ni含量,并促进Ni2+的还原.不同Mg/Al比双金属催化剂中,7Ni-0.15Ru/Mg2.5Al催化剂具有较高的催化活性,这归结为该催化剂适宜的碱性、较高表面Ni含量以及小尺寸的Ni0物种.添加Ru明显抑制Ni/Mg Al O催化剂表面的丝状碳的形成.而7Ni-0.15Ru/Mg2.5Al较强的抗积碳性能与其较小Ni0晶粒尺寸及适宜催化剂碱性有关.     

Bottom-Up Design of a Copper–Ruthenium Nanoparticulate Catalyst for Low-Temperature Ammonia Oxidation

A novel nanoparticulate catalyst of copper (Cu) and ruthenium (Ru) was designed for low-temperature ammonia oxidation at near-stoichiometric mixtures using a bottom-up approach. A synergistic effect of the two metals was found. An optimum CuRu catalyst presents a reaction rate threefold higher than that for Ru and forty-fold higher than that for Cu. X-ray absorption spectroscopy suggests that in the most active catalyst Cu forms one or two monolayer thick patches on Ru and the catalysts are less active once 3D Cu islands form. The good performance of the tuned Cu/Ru catalyst is attributed to changes in the electronic structure, and thus the altered adsorption properties of the surface Cu sites.     

In-situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy study of Pt and Ru chemistry during methanol electrooxidation

Methanol electrooxidation in a 0.5 M sulfuric acid electrolyte containing 1.0 M CH3OH was studied on 30% Pt/carbon and 30% PtRu/carbon (Pt/Ru = 1:1) catalysts using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Absorption by Pt and Ru was measured at constant photon energy in the near edge region during linear potential sweeps of 10-50 mV/s between 0.01 and 1.36 V vs rhe. The absorption results were used to follow Pt and Ru oxidation and reduction under transient conditions as well as to monitor Ru dissolution. Both catalysts exhibited higher activity for methanol oxidation at high potential following multiple potential cycles. Correlation of XAS data with the potential sweeps indicates that Pt catalysts lose activity at high potentials due to Pt oxidation. The addition of Ru to Pt accelerates the rate of methanol oxidation at all potentials. Ru is more readily oxidized than Pt, but unlike Pt, its oxidation does not result in a decrease in catalytic activity. PtRu/carbon catalysts underwent significant changes during potential cycling due to Ru loss. Similar current density vs potential results were obtained using the same PtRu/carbon catalyst at the same loading in a membrane electrode assembly half cell with only a Nafion (DuPont) solid electrolyte. The results are interpreted in terms of a bifunctional catalyst mechanism in which Pt surface sites serve to chemisorb and dissociate methanol to protons and carbon monoxide, while Ru surface sites activate water and accelerate the oxidation of the chemisorbed CO intermediate. PtRu/carbon catalysts maintain their activity at very high potentials, which is attributed to the ability of the added Ru to keep Pt present in a reduced state, a necessary requirement for methanol chemisorption and dissociation.