Direct ethanol fuel cell: Electrochemical performance at 90 °C on Pt and PtSn/C electrocatalysts

• Published in: Journal of power sources 2012, Vol.198, p.95-99
• Main Authors: Purgato, F.L.S., Pronier, S., Olivi, P., de Andrade, A.R., Léger, J.M., Tremiliosi-Filho, G., Kokoh, K.B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Catalysis; Catalysts: preparations and properties; Chemistry; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Direct ethanol fuel cell; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Electrochemistry; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Ethanol electrooxidation; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; General and physical chemistry; Miscellaneous (electroosmosis, electrophoresis, electrochromism, electrocrystallization, ...); Polymeric precursor method; Pt–Sn; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2011.09.060

► Carbon-supported Pt-based electrocatalysts synthesized by Pechini method. ► Electrocatalytic ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) at 90 °C. ► A single 5 cm 2 DEFC delivers a power density of 37 mW cm −2. ► Acetaldehyde is the main oxidation product. Carbon-supported Pt-based electrocatalysts were synthesized by Pechini method for the ethanol oxidation (EOR). Physicochemical characterizations were helpful to estimate the diameters of the obtained materials ranging from 2 nm to 5 nm. Main electrochemical experiments were carried out at 90 °C i.e. under the working conditions of performing the single 5 cm 2 direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC). Pt 80Sn 20/C was the anode catalyst which has given the highest power density of 37 mW cm −2. Importantly, the IR spectroscopy measurements associated with the qualitative analysis done at the output of the anodic compartment of the fuel cell have shown that ethanol oxidation on Pt 80Sn 20/C was mainly a two-electron sustainable process.