Investigation of a Pt–Fe/C catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction in direct ethanol fuel cells

Three cathode catalysts (60% Pt/C, 30% Pt/C and 60% Pt–Fe/C), with a particle size of about 2–3 nm, were prepared to investigate the effect of ethanol cross-over on cathode surfaces. All samples were studied in terms of structure and morphology by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission elect...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Castro Luna Berenguer, Ana María del Carmen, Bonesi, Alejandro Roberto, Triaca, Walter Enrique, Di Blasi, A., Stassi, A., Baglio, V., Antonucci, V., Aricò, A. S.
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2010
País:Argentina
Institución:Universidad Nacional de La Plata
Repositorio:SEDICI (UNLP)
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:sedici.unlp.edu.ar:10915/143618
Acceso en línea:http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar/handle/10915/143618
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Química
Direct ethanol fuel cells
Oxygen reduction reaction
Ethanol tolerance
Pt–Fe/C catalyst
Pt/C catalyst
Nanoparticles
Energy conversion
Descripción
Sumario:Three cathode catalysts (60% Pt/C, 30% Pt/C and 60% Pt–Fe/C), with a particle size of about 2–3 nm, were prepared to investigate the effect of ethanol cross-over on cathode surfaces. All samples were studied in terms of structure and morphology by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses. Their electrocatalytic behavior in terms of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was investigated and compared using a rotating disk electrode (RDE). The tolerance of cathode catalysts in the presence of ethanol was evaluated. The Pt–Fe/C catalyst showed both higher ORR activity and tolerance to ethanol cross-over than Pt/C catalysts. Moreover, the more promising catalysts were tested in 5 cm2 DEFC single cells at 60 and 80 °C. An improvement in single cell performance was observed in the presence of the Pt–Fe catalyst, due to an enhancement in the oxygen reduction kinetics. The maximum power density was 53 mW cm−2 at 2 bar rel. cathode pressure and 80 °C.