International Journal of Modern Science and Technology
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International Journal of Modern Science and Technology, 1(6), 2016, Pages 199-212.
Synthesis and Characterization of Nanostructured Carbon-supported Pt Electrocatalysts for Membraneless Methanol Fuel Cells
S. P. R. Kalaikathir1, S. Begila David2
1 Department of Chemistry, Womens’ Christian College, Nagercoil – 629 001. India.
2 PG and Research Centre in Chemistry, Scott Christian College (Autonomous), Nagercoil – 629 003. India.
Abstract
Carbon-supported Pt−Ru−Fe/C (70:20:10), Pt−Ru−Fe/C (70:15:15), Pt−Ru−Fe/C (70:10:20), Pt−Ru/C (50:50), Pt−Fe/C (50:50) and Pt/C (100) electrocatalysts were synthesized by co-impregnation reduction method. The physicochemical characterizations demonstrated that all the compositions have the Pt face-centered cubic (fcc) structure with variations in the lattice parameter, indicating the incorporation of Ru and Fe. Transmission electron microscopy measurements revealed a decrease in the mean particle size of the catalysts for the ternary compositions. The electrochemical characterization showed that binary and ternary electrocatalysts have higher catalytic activity than Pt/C toward methanol electrooxidation. Voltammetric data showed the addition of Fe to Pt–Ru/C significantly diminished the potential of methanol and CO oxidation, due to the electronic effect exerted by this metal along with the bifunctional mechanism. Single cell tests on a membraneless methanol fuel cell at room temperature with Pt−Ru−Fe/C (70:20:10) showed superior performance compared to Pt−Ru−Fe/C (70:15:15), Pt−Ru−Fe/C (70:10:20), Pt−Ru/C (50:50), Pt−Fe/C (50:50) and Pt/C (100) electrocatalysts. The i-V characteristic curve indicated an enhancement in fuel cell performance with the addition of Fe and Ru to Pt-catalyst.
Keywords: Co-impregnation reduction; Membraneless fuel cells; Methanol; Platinum; Ruthenium; Iron; Sodium perborate.
ISSN 2456-0235