Pongpichayakul, Natthapong, et al. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2021, 46(46), 23682-23693.
This study focused on modifying cerium zirconium oxide (CeZrO4) on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MCNTs) to improve the catalytic activity and stability of electrodeposited platinum (Pt) for the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR). Various Pt/CeZrO4/MCNT catalysts with different amounts of CeZrO4 were synthesized using cyclic voltammetry for electrodeposition. The Pt/20%CeZrO4/MCNT catalyst is anticipated to enhance anode oxidation reactions in direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) due to its remarkable activity and stability.
Key Findings
• The enhanced catalysts utilize the redox properties of Ce4+/Ce3+ and the incorporation of Zr4+ to increase active sites and lower energy barriers. Electrochemical measurements show excellent performance for EOR with Pt/CeZrO4/MCNT catalysts exhibiting notable electrochemical parameters for oxidation activity.
• The estimated Pt mass of 4.71 mg cm² for Pt/20%CeZrO4/MCNT resulted in superior values of ESAH at 0.37 cm2, SESAH at 129.70 m2/g, and RF of 5.32. Its mass activity reached 1073.64 mA/mg, nearly four times greater than that of commercial PtRu/C.
• Furthermore, the findings suggest that the Pt/20%CeZrO4/MCNT catalyst can resist CO poisoning and demonstrates excellent kinetic resilience against carbonaceous species. It maintains a current stability of 48.78 mA/mg, with an efficiency reduction of approximately 37.8%.
