Enhanced catalytic activity of ternary NiCoPd nanocatalyst dispersed on carbon nanotubes toward methanol oxidation reaction in alkaline media

Ternary NiCoPd nanocatalyst dispersed on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs), NiCoPd/CNTs, was synthesized using a simple and green sonochemical method. The as-prepared NiCoPd/CNT hybrids were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The electrochemical measurements revealed that the ternary NiCoPd/CNTs exhibited an enhanced electrocatalytic activity for the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR), much superior to those of the binary NiPd/CNT and CoPd/CNT, as well as monometallic Pd/CNT counterparts, which likely resulted from the synergistic function of the dopant metals of Ni and Co.     

Electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol on Pt/NiZn electrode in alkaline medium

In this study, a platinum electrode was coated with NiZn layer (Pt/NiZn) in a nickel-zinc bath by electrodeposition for use as anode material for methanol electrooxidation in alkaline solution. The electrode prepared was etched in a concentrated alkaline solution (30% NaOH) to produce a porous and electrocatalytic surface suitable for use in the methanol electrooxidation (Pt/NiZn). The surface morphologies and compositions of coating before and after alkaline leaching were determined by energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The effect of NiZn coated platinum electrode for methanol electrooxidation was investigated in 1 M NaOH solution by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. Methanol electrooxidation on Pt/NiZn electrode was studied at various temperatures and potential scan rates. The results showed that Pt/NiZn electrode behaved as an efficient catalyst for the electrooxidation of methanol in alkaline medium.     

Pt and Pt–Ru nanoparticles decorated polypyrrole/multiwalled carbon nanotubes and their catalytic activity towards methanol oxidation

Conducting polymer composite films comprised of polypyrrole (PPy) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) [PPy–CNT] were synthesized by in situ polymerization of pyrrole on carbon nanotubes in 0.1 M HCl containing (NH₄)S₂O₈ as oxidizing agent over a temperature range of 0–5 °C. Pt nanoparticles are deposited on PPy–CNT composite films by chemical reduction of H₂PtCl₆ using HCHO as reducing agent at pH = 11 [Pt/PPy–CNT]. The presence of MWCNTs leads to higher activity, which might be due to the increase of electrochemically accessible surface areas, electronic conductivity and easier charge-transfer at polymer/electrolyte interfaces allowing higher dispersion and utilization of the deposited Pt nanoparticles. A comparative investigation was carried out using Pt–Ru nanoparticles decorated PPy–CNT composites. Cyclic voltammetry demonstrated that the synthesized Pt–Ru/PPy–CNT catalysts exhibited higher catalytic activity for methanol oxidation than Pt/PPy–CNT catalyst. Such kinds of Pt and Pt–Ru particles deposited on PPy–CNT composite polymer films exhibit excellent catalytic activity and stability towards methanol oxidation, which indicates that the composite films is more promising support material for fuel cell applications.     

Highly dispersed MoO(x) on carbon nanotube as support for high performance Pt catalyst towards methanol oxidation

HPMo self-assembly on carbon nanotubes followed by decomposition is used to fabricate highly dispersed MoO(x)/CNTs as a support for high performance of a Pt catalyst towards methanol oxidation.     

Photo(UV)-enhanced performance of Pt–TiO2 nanostructure electrode for methanol oxidation

We report an improved performance of Pt–TiO₂ nanostructure electrode for methanol oxidation in methanol fuel cells. The nanostructure electrode consisting of Pt nanophases and a titanium oxide matrix was fabricated by means of co-sputtering deposition method. The electrode showed a remarkably enhanced performance for methanol oxidation under UV illumination compared to that without UV illumination. Such a remarkably improved performance of the Pt–TiO₂ electrode might be due to the enhanced methanol oxidation by photo-generated holes in the TiO₂ under UV illumination.     

Continuous hot electron generation in Pt/TiO2, Pd/TiO2, and Pt/GaN catalytic nanodiodes from oxidation of carbon monoxide

Thin films (<10 nm) of platinum or palladium were deposited on TiO2 or GaN to form Schottky diodes. We detected and monitored the continuous electron flow across the metal-oxide interfaces of Pt/TiO2, Pd/TiO2, and Pt/GaN during the catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide. The electron excitation and flow in the metals were due to conversion of energy released by the oxidation of carbon monoxide into the kinetic energy of free electrons in platinum and palladium. The best conversion of three electrons per four CO2 molecules was observed from 5 nm Pt/TiO2.     

Carbon monoxide oxidation on Pt/TiO2 sol-gel catalysts

Comparative results (specific area, metallic dispersion, and activity in the carbon monoxide oxidation) on sol-gel and impregnated Pt/TiO₂ catalysts are presented. In order to explain the important differences between the two preparations, among them high resistivity of sol-gel catalyst to sintering, the formation of anchored and/or partially buried particles into the support is proposed.     

Mechanism of CO oxidation on Pt(111) in alkaline media

Electrochemical techniques, coupled with in situ scanning tunneling microscopy, have been used to examine the mechanism of CO oxidation and the role of surface structure in promoting CO oxidation on well-ordered and disordered Pt(111) in aqueous NaOH solutions. Oxidation of CO occurs in two distinct potential regions: the prepeak (0.25-0.70 V) and the main peak (0.70 V and higher). The mechanism of reaction is Langmuir-Hinshelwood in both regions, but the OH adsorption site is different. In the prepeak, CO oxidation occurs through reaction with OH that is strongly adsorbed at defect sites. Adsorption of OH on defects at low potentials has been verified using charge displacement measurements. Not all CO can be oxidized in the prepeak, since the Pt-CO bond strength increases as the CO coverage decreases. Below theta(CO) = 0.2 monolayer, CO is too strongly bound to react with defect-bound OH. Oxidation of CO at low coverage occurs in the main peak through reaction with OH adsorbed on (111) terraces, where the Pt-OH bond is weaker than on defects. The enhanced oxidation of CO in alkaline media is attributed to the higher affinity of the Pt(111) surface for adsorption of OH at low potentials in alkaline media as compared with acidic media.     

碱性介质中铂/碳气凝胶电催化氧化甲醇

以间苯二酚和甲醛为原料,采用溶胶-凝胶法制备了碳气凝胶(CAs);以CAs为载体,利用乙二醇还原法制备了Pt/CAs催化剂;在碱性条件下,采用循环伏安法测定了Pt/CAs催化剂电催化氧化甲醇的活性,结果表明,Pt/CAs显示出高的甲醇氧化催化活性,在1.0mol.L-1 NaOH和1.0mol.L-1 CH3OH溶液中,其峰电流密度是商品Vulcan XC-72R负载Pt催化剂Pt/C的3.9倍,甲醇起始氧化电位比Pt/C的负移约100mV.     

Simultaneous reduction-etching route to Pt/ZnSnO3 hollow polyhedral architectures for methanol electrooxidation in alkaline media with superior performance

In this communication, a simultaneous reduction-etching route is exploited to fabricate Pt/ZnSnO(3) hollow polyhedra. The hollow ZnSnO(3) polyhedron is found to act as a novel and efficient support of Pt-based catalyst for methanol electrooxidation in alkaline media.     

Pt nanocrystallines/TiO2 with thickness-controlled carbon layers: Preparation and activities in CO oxidation

Pt nanocrystallines (~3 nm) covered with controllable carbon layers were synthesized by photochemical reduction method which exhibited extraordinary anti-sintering properties and different CO oxidation activities.     

Electrocatalytic performance of Pt/Ru/Sn/W fullerene electrode for methanol oxidation in direct methanol fuel cell

In this work,fullerene was modified by platinum,ruthenium,tin and tungsten nanoparticles.The material was characterized by XRD,ICP-OES and TEM micrograph.The average nanoparticle size on fullerene was 5-8 nm.The application of this material was investigated as a catalyst for methanol oxidation in direct methanol fuel cell.A glassy carbon electrode was modified by Pt/Ru/Sn/W fullerene and electrocatalytic activity of the electrode toward methanol oxidation in basic medium has been demonstrated and investigated using cyclic voltammetry.The catalyst showed good reactivity for methanol oxidation.     

Promoting effect of carbon functional groups in methanol oxidation on supported Pt catalyst

The contribution of carbon functional groups (CFG) to methanol oxidation at carbon-supported Pt catalysts is studied in this work. Platinum black, attached in a form of a thin layer to electrochemically treated glassy carbon (GC), is investigated as a model system. Impedance measurements reveal significant changes in capacitive response of GC anodically polarized in H₂SO₄ solution in comparison to unoxidized state. XPS analyses show the increased fraction of oxygen-containing CFGs upon electrochemical treatment of GC. The activity of Pt black attached to oxidized GC for methanol oxidation is more than two times larger in comparison to the catalyst attached to unoxidized GC. Increased activity is most likely due to the promotion of CO_ads removal by increased content of CFGs.     

Effect of atomic-layer-deposited TiO2 on carbon-supported Ni catalysts for electrocatalytic glycerol oxidation in alkaline media

Thin TiO₂ layers were deposited onto a carbon-supported Ni catalyst (Ni/C) through atomic layer deposition (ALD) and the resulting TiO₂-coated Ni/C (ALD(TiO₂)-Ni/C) was utilized for electrochemical glycerol oxidation in alkaline media. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis demonstrated that the Ni surface phase of ALD(TiO₂)-Ni/C mainly consisted of Ni(OH)₂ while that of uncoated Ni/C was a mixed phase of NiO and Ni(OH)₂. The ALD(TiO₂)-Ni/C exhibited electrocatalytic activity at least 2.4 times higher than that of Ni/C. Density functional theory calculations were used to investigate how the modified Ni surface with the TiO₂ coating affects the adsorption/desorption of glycerol.     

Surfactant effects on methanol oxidation at Pt–Ru/C coated glassy carbon electrode

The role of surfactants, cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and Triton X-100 (in the catalyst), on methanol oxidation at commercial 50:50 Pt–Ru/C catalyst-coated glassy carbon has been studied using cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Surfactant containing catalysts showed a considerable reduction in the methanol oxidation potential. In terms of oxidation potential, better results (lower methanol oxidation potential) were observed in the order SDS > Triton X-100 > CTAB > no surfactant. SEM studies on the catalyst ink showed better homogeneity in the sample prepared using surfactant. This indicates better Pt Pt contact, which is likely to favour methanol adsorption and its oxidation. Hence, lowering of oxidation potentials for methanol oxidation could be seen with use of surfactants. Results of FT-IR on the catalyst ink showed definite changes in the frequencies in the case of Pt–Ru/C containing surfactants indicating definite interaction between catalyst and surfactant. Catalysts, with and without surfactants, yielded linear plots of concentration vs peak currents for methanol oxidation (0–2 M). With surfactant containing catalysts, reduction in methanol oxidation current was observed, and the order followed was the reverse of the above.     

Simple synthesis of Pt-Ag/SnO2-C for use as a catalyst of methanol oxidation in alkaline media

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Pt-Ag/SnO2-C is a highly active electrocatalyst for the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) in alkaline media at different methanol concentrations. Pt-Ag...     

Visible Light Photocatalytic Activity of Pt/N‐TiO2 towards Enhanced H2 Production from Water Splitting

Present work mainly focuses on experimental investigation to improvement of hydrogen production by water photoelectrolysis. An experimental facility was designed and constructed for visible light photocatalysis. A series of N‐TiO₂ photocatalysts impregnated with platinum on the surface of N‐TiO₂ were prepared. Hydrogen production upon irradiating aqueous Pt/N‐TiO₂ suspension with visible light was investigated. The shift in excitation wavelength of TiO₂ was 380 nm improved the yield of hydrogen production by N‐TiO₂ and Pt/N‐TiO₂. We used a 400 W mercury arc lamp combined with a 400 nm cutoff filter eliminating all the wavelengths under 400 nm. Pt/N‐TiO₂ material was characterized with TPR, reflective UV/Visible spectroscopy and TEM. The best hydrogen production rate obtained for this setup for N/Ti = 10, 0.05 wt% Pt/N‐TiO₂, through water splitting was about 772 μmolh^?1g^?1.     

氧化铁对铂在碱性介质中催化氧化甲醇的促进作用

Pt催化剂是电催化领域用途最为广泛的贵金属催化剂.Pt资源稀缺,价格昂贵,同时它的物理化学特性又决定了其在多种催化反应中难以被替代.在质子交换膜燃料电池的小分子醇类电氧化过程中,难免存在Pt的毒化现象,其催化性能有待进一步提升.因此,围绕着Pt催化剂纳米结构的设计、抗毒性及反应机理的探索一直是电催化研究面临的重要课题.目前,已被广泛认可的提高Pt催化性能的方法之一是引入第二种金属,通过金属间协同效应(双功能机理)、张力效应或电子效应等对Pt的催化行为进行改性.对于由双/多金属组成的纳米结构催化剂,无论是协同效应还是电子效应,催化活性的提高都需要金属间有丰富的接触界面和恰当的邻近状态.通过调变两组元的种类、原子比和接触状态等可以实现对金属-金属界面的调控,进而调变催化剂性能.除金属助剂外,金属氧化物对Pt催化剂的助催化作用也引起广泛关注.由于金属氧化物与Pt之间的密切接触作用,氧化物的形貌特点对Pt的催化性能可产生重要影响.到目前为止,有关催化剂形貌效应的研究主要集中于贵金属纳米颗粒上(Pt,Au,Pd等),但关于金属氧化物载体/助剂的形貌对贵金属催化性能影响的研究尚不多.具有明确形貌的金属氧化物载体/助剂,暴露的晶面不同,表面原子的配位状态也不同,从而造成与之密切接触的Pt的性质发生改变.因此,金属氧化物的表面性质以及Pt-金属氧化物的界面性质将对电催化性能产生重要影响,深入阐释贵金属-金属氧化物的表/界面性质以及建立有效的构效关系,对设计和制备高效电催化剂具有一定的指导意义.为了提高Pt基催化剂活性、抗CO中毒能力以及稳定性,本文采用共沉淀法和水热法分别制备了纳米棒和六边形纳米片状的Fe2O3作为Pt催化剂的助剂,考察了助剂形貌对Pt催化剂在碱性介质中催化氧化甲醇的促进作用.通过X射线衍射、扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜、X射线光电子能谱以及电化学技术对催化剂进行了表征.结果显示,Fe2O3的存在能显著提高Pt催化剂在碱性介质中对甲醇氧化的电催化性能,而且以Fe2O3纳米棒为助剂制备的Pt-Fe2O3/C-R催化剂催化活性以及稳定性比Fe2O3纳米片为助剂制备的Pt-Fe2O3/C-P催化剂更高.这种促进效应可能与助剂Fe2O3的形态有关.Pt-Fe2O3/C-R催化剂中Pt的质量比活性为5.32 A/mgPt,本征活性为162.7 A/m2Pt,分别是Pt-Fe2O3/C-P催化剂的1.67和2.04倍,是商业PtRu/C样品的4.19和6.16倍.协同效应和电子效应是Pt催化性能提升的主要原因.此外,Pt-Fe2O3/C-R样品中高价态Pt的含量较高,可能也是加速甲醇氧化反应动力学的原因之一.高价态的Pt可能会增强甲醇分子在Pt表面的吸附强度,促进Pt上甲醇氧化反应初始步.这些发现不仅可对甲醇电催化氧化机理有了更深的理解,而且对设计和制备高性能甲醇氧化电催化剂也具有一定的指导意义.     

CeO2修饰的Pt/Ni催化剂在碱性溶液中对乙醇电催化氧化性能的增强

有机小分子直接燃料电池具有高能量密度和转换效率、易贮存及运输方便等优点.在过去几十年,有机小分子化合物尤其是乙醇的电催化氧化引起了研究者的关注,高活性和稳定性及低价格的电催化剂的设计和制备一直是乙醇燃料电池的研究热点.本文采用复合电沉积方法制备了Ni和CeO2复合镀层,然后利用Ni置换铂前驱体中Pt的方法制备了纳米CeO2修饰的Pt/Ni电催化剂(Pt/Ni-CeO2).采用X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)及能谱仪(EDS)等手段表征了所制样品的组成和相结构、表面形貌及组成成份.XRD结果表明,所制Pt/Ni催化剂主要是PtNi合金相结构.与Pt/Ni相比,Pt/Ni-CeO2催化剂的XRD峰强明显变弱,表明纳米CeO2修饰的Pt/Ni电催化剂的结晶性较差或者其晶体颗粒较小.这可能是由于CeO2的共沉积阻止了Ni纳米颗粒的进一步生长或团聚.当电镀液中CeO2含量为50和100 mg/L时,所制Pt/Ni-CeO2催化剂样品Pt/NiCe1和Pt/NiCe2的XRD谱上未观察到CeO2相关的衍射峰,这主要可归因于催化剂中沉积的CeO2量少或其高度分散.随着电镀液中CeO2浓度进一步增大到200 mg/L时,在Pt/Ni-CeO2催化剂(Pt/NiCe4)的XRD谱上出现了CeO2相关的衍射峰.这表明采用复合电沉积-化学还原法可以成功制备CeO2修饰的Pt/Ni电催化剂.SEM结果显示,所制催化剂都是由团聚状态的纳米颗粒组成,并且Pt/NiCe2表现出比Pt/Ni更开放的微结构,从而有利于反应物扩散至催化剂内部.该结果进一步表明共沉积的CeO2对所制Pt/Ni催化剂微结构的影响.此外,EDS结果也证实成功制备了CeO2修饰的Pt/Ni电催化剂.采用多次循环伏安、电流时间曲线和电化学阻抗谱(EIS)等手段研究了所制电催化剂的电化学性能.与Pt/Ni相比,Pt/Ni-CeO2催化剂表现出更好的电催化氧化乙醇活性和稳定性,这可能与CeO2的贮氧特性及其共沉积增大了电极的粗糙度有关.红外光谱测试结果表明,在CeO2修饰的Pt/Ni电催化剂催化氧化乙醇过程中,CH3COO?可能是乙醇氧化的主要产物.在所制催化剂中,CeO2含量影响其电催化氧化乙醇性能.循环伏安和电流时间曲线测试结果表明,随着催化剂中CeO2含量增大,催化剂活性先增加后减弱.电化学阻抗谱结果表明,随着CeO2含量增大,CeO2修饰的Pt/Ni电催化剂的接触电阻先增大后变小再变大;而电荷转移电阻不断变小.在电解液中含有100 mg/L CeO2时所制电催化剂(Pt/NiCe2)具有最佳的电催化氧化乙醇活性和稳定性.这主要与CeO2的贮氧功能、Pt与CeO2/Ni间的相互作用和其较小的接触电阻和电荷转移电阻有关.该结果可为设计和制备低价格、高活性乙醇燃料电池中的催化剂提供思路.     

Electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol on Pt-Pd nanoparticles supported on honeycomb-like porous carbons in alkaline media

Honeycomb-like porous carbons (PCs) were synthesized using a facile self-assembly method with phenolic resin as the carbon source and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as the silica source. The PCs were found to have a large BET surface area of 458 m² g^?1 and a partially graphitized structure. The obtained PCs were used as a support for various Pt-Pd bimetallic alloy catalysts employed for methanol oxidation in alkaline media. Compared with Pt supported on commercial Vulcan XC-72R carbon (Pt/C) and with the other Pt-Pd bimetallic alloy catalysts on PCs, Pt₃Pd₁ on PCs displayed the most negative onset potential for methanol oxidation and the highest steady-state current (2.04 mA cm^?2). This may be because the Pt₃Pd₁/PCs catalyst has the largest electrochemical active surface area (ESA), and because adding Pd to the catalyst improves the ability of the intermediate species to tolerate oxidation. The results show that the prepared Pt-Pd/PCs is a potential candidate for application as a catalyst in alkaline direct methanol fuel cells.