Preparation and electrocatalytic properties of Pt-SiO2 nanocatalysts for ethanol electrooxidation

• Published in: Journal of colloid and interface science 2007-03, Vol.307 (1), p.139-144
• Main Authors: LIU, B, CHEN, J. H, ZHONG, X. X, CUI, K. Z, ZHOU, H. H, KUANG, Y. F
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Electrochemistry; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; General and physical chemistry; Kinetics and mechanism of reactions; Physical and chemical studies. Granulometry. Electrokinetic phenomena
• ISSN: 0021-9797; 1095-7103
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2006.11.027

Due to their high stability in general acidic solutions, SiO(2) nanoparticles were selected as the second catalyst for ethanol oxidation in sulfuric acid aqueous solution. Pt-SiO(2) nanocatalysts were prepared in this paper. The micrography and elemental composition of Pt-SiO(2) nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, respectively. The electrocatalytic properties of Pt-SiO(2) nanocatalysts for ethanol oxidation were investigated by cyclic voltammetry. Under the same Pt loading mass and experimental conditions for ethanol oxidation, Pt-SiO(2) nanocatalysts show higher activity than PtRu/C (E-Tek), Pt/C (E-Tek), and Pt catalysts. Additionally, Pt-SiO(2) nanocatalysts possess good anti-poisoning ability. The results indicate that Pt-SiO(2) nanocatalysts may have good potential applications in direct ethanol fuel cells.