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Catalysis

Catalysis

The presence of a catalyst affects the rate of a chemical reaction. A catalyst is a substance that can increase the reaction rate without being consumed during the process. A basic comprehension of a catalysts’ role during chemical reactions can be understood from the concept of reaction mechanisms and energy diagrams.

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Enhancing Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell Performance: Mesoporous Carbon Functionalization for Optimized PtRe Catalysts.

María Florencia Azcoaga Chort¹, Virginia Inés Rodríguez¹, Gonzalo García²

¹CONICET-UNL, Instituto de Investigaciones en Catálisis y Petroquímica (INCAPE), Colectora Ruta Nacional N° 168, Santa Fe, 3000, Argentina.

|September 17, 2025

Summary

This study enhances direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) catalysts by functionalizing carbon supports and adding rhenium (Re) to platinum (Pt). This improves ethanol oxidation, boosting fuel cell performance.

Keywords:

PtRe anodic electrocatalysts carbon supports direct ethanol fuel cells functionalization processes supported catalysts

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Electrochemistry
Catalysis

Background:

Direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) require efficient anode electrocatalysts for complete ethanol oxidation.
Cleavage of the carbon-carbon bond in ethanol remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effect of chemical functionalization of mesoporous carbon (MC) supports on Pt and PtRe catalysts.
To evaluate the influence of support modification and rhenium (Re) addition on catalyst performance.

Main Methods:

Mesoporous carbon supports were functionalized using nitric acid (HNO3), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and urea.
Platinum (Pt) and Platinum-Rhenium (PtRe) catalysts were synthesized using the polyol method.
Catalysts were characterized structurally, texturally, and electrochemically; prototype fuel cells were tested.

Main Results:

Rhenium (Re) addition to Pt catalysts enhanced ethanol electrooxidation, reducing onset potentials and increasing electrochemically active surface areas, with optimal performance at 3 wt% Re.
Functionalization of MC supports, particularly with HNO3, improved catalyst dispersion and electrochemical performance.
Carbon support functionalization and metal synergy significantly impacted catalyst activity and stability.

Conclusions:

Chemical functionalization of mesoporous carbon supports is crucial for advancing DEFC anode electrocatalysts.
The synergistic effect between Pt and Re, combined with optimized support properties, leads to superior ethanol oxidation.
This research offers a pathway to developing more efficient and durable DEFC systems.