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Preparation and Use of Photocatalytically Active Segmented Ag|ZnO and Coaxial TiO2-Ag Nanowires Made by Templated Electrodeposition
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Methanol Electro-Oxidation on Carbon-Supported PtRu Nanowires
Gláucia R O Almeida1, Franz E López-Suárez2, Lays S R Silva1
1Laborató rio de Eletroquímica e Nanotecnologia-LEN, Instituto de Tecnologia e Pesquisa-ITP, 49032-490, Aracaju-SE, Brazil.
Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
|October 27, 2018
Summary
Platinum-Ruthenium (PtRu) nanowires enhance methanol electro-oxidation efficiency in fuel cells. The Pt60Ru40/C catalyst demonstrated superior performance, reducing energy requirements for this crucial process.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Catalysis
Background:
- Improving fuel cell efficiency is critical for clean energy technologies.
- Platinum-based catalysts are essential for alcohol oxidation, but their efficiency needs enhancement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize carbon-supported Platinum-Ruthenium (PtRu) nanowires.
- To evaluate their electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation in acid media.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of PtRu nanowires with varying Pt and Ru concentrations on a carbon support.
- Characterization of physicochemical properties using X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS).
- Electrochemical testing for methanol electro-oxidation activity.
Main Results:
- Pt60Ru40/C catalyst exhibited the best performance, lowering the onset potential by approximately 0.2 V compared to other PtRu/C nanowires.
- Structural modification by Ruthenium (Ru) and the synergistic RuPt character were identified as key factors for improved electro-oxidation.
- XRD revealed average crystallite sizes of 4.6-5.9 nm and lattice parameters between 0.3903-0.3908 nm.
- XPS confirmed the presence of metallic Pt and Ru4+ species.
Conclusions:
- The Pt60Ru40/C catalyst is highly effective for methanol electro-oxidation.
- Optimized PtRu composition and structure significantly reduce the energy demand for alcohol oxidation in fuel cells.
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