Improved methanol-tolerant performance by PtFe/C electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction

Yanming Gong, Yaw Yeboah, Serguei Lvov, Victor Balashov, Zhicheng Wang

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

20 wt% Fe modified Pt based electrocatalysts, which were supported on Vulcan XC72R carbon black, were synthesized by the Bönnemann colloidal method. The catalyst particles distributed in a narrow range with an average of around 3 nm. The alloy crystal structure of the catalyst was confirmed by XRD through different approaches. Through rotating disk electrode (RDE) and cyclicvoltametry (CV) measurements, the PtFe/C displayed enhanced oxygen reduction capability in acidic media in the presence of methanol. The produced current density was 3-5 times that obtained from traditional Pt/C. Compared to the significant potential decline of around 350 mV in Pt/C electrode, the open circuit potential shift in PtFe/C electrode was slight [Fig.1], ca.50 mV, with and without the presence of 1 M methanol in working media. The PtFe/C catalyst system showed promising potential to be a superior cathode catalyst for direct methanol fuel cells. INOR 485 Synthetic iron hydrogenase active site mimics as homogenous proton reduction catalysts Sascha Ott, [email protected], Department of Photochemistry and Molecular Science, Uppsala University, The Ångström Laboratories, Box 523, Uppsala, 75120, Sweden Iron hydrogenases are enzymes that reversibly catalyze the reduction of protons to molecular hydrogen. Considering the importance of this reaction for future energy technologies, it is understandable that the enzyme as well as synthetic analogues of its active site are subject of great interest. Our interest in synthetic models of the iron hydrogenase active site is manifold. We are mimicking certain features of the enzyme active site (Chem. Commun., 2006, 4206), and study the mechanism of hydrogen formation (Chem. Commun., 2006, 520). Our research on isolated and well defined synthetic models thereby contributes to the understanding of the enzyme's function. We then intend to exploit this knowledge and develop improved synthetic catalysts (Angew. Chem. IEE, 2004, 1006). Most importantly, however, we are aiming to drive the formation of hydrogen by the action of sunlight. We therefore attach our hydrogen production catalysts to light-harvesting chromophores (Angew. Chem. IEE, 2003, 3285), and study the light-induced processes between the photosensitizer and the diiron site (Inorg. Chem., 2004, 4683). In this meeting, we wish to report our latest findings on the protonation behavior of a model complex with two basic sites, and put these results in context of our previous works.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication233rd ACS National Meeting, Abstracts of Scientific Papers
StatePublished - 2007
Event233rd ACS National Meeting - Chicago, IL, United States
Duration: Mar 25 2007Mar 29 2007

Publication series

NameACS National Meeting Book of Abstracts
ISSN (Print)0065-7727

Other

Other233rd ACS National Meeting
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityChicago, IL
Period3/25/073/29/07

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Chemistry
  • General Chemical Engineering

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