Enhanced performance of methanol oxidation reaction via green synthesis of platinum electro‐catalyst from sugar cane bagasse

Abstract

Summary Platinum‐based catalysts are regarded as premier anodic electrocatalysts in direct methanol fuel cells due to their great catalytic activities but hampered by its non‐benign conventional synthesis, and high production expenses. This study exploited a new sustainable pathway of a biosynthesis route using the biomass plant extract of sugarcane bagasse in a facile single‐step process guided by the principle of green chemistry performing enhanced functionalized bio‐platinum nanoparticles. The physiochemical characterization, along with the bio‐reductive mechanism were comprehensively discussed. The electrochemical activity was performed by cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements. The novel nano‐spheroid biosynthesized Pt NPs manifested a high ECSA of approximately 95 m2/g with an enhanced current density of 400 mA/mgcatalyst−1, which were 3 to 4 times higher than those of Pt black commercial. The discovery of bioactive compounds from the dominant group of polyphenolics, flavonoids, carboxylic acids, and proteins suggested that they were accountable for the bio‐reductive mechanism.

Influence of an electrified interface on the entropy and energy of solvation of methanol oxidation intermediates on platinum(111) under explicit solvation

“…They are: (1) transporting and storing hydrogen is expensive and energy-intensive, and (2) the energy needed to produce hydrogen is likely to be derived from coal or fossil fuels (although sometimes electricity is used to produce hydrogen via water electrolysis). 10 Methanol and ammonia are alternative sources of hydrogen that bypass these challenges; [11][12][13][14][15][16] however, current electrocatalysts used to oxidize (and create hydrogen from) these compounds are often comprised of platinum, [17][18][19] which can be prohibitively expensive and prone to poisoning. [20][21][22][23] Hence, new materials that are less expensive and more stable under electrocatalytic operating conditions are needed.…”

Synthesis of Pt Double-Walled Nanoframes with Well-Defined and Controllable Facets

“…We further studied the electrochemical stability of DWFs by chronoamperometry (CA) recorded at the potential of 0.59 V vs Ag/AgCl for 3600 s (Figure S13). DWFs do not exhibit as drastic an initial decay in current density with time compared to the Pt/C, indicating better resistance to CO poisoning . Notably, the structures of DWFs remained intact after CA test confirmed by TEM images in Figure S14.…”

“…DWFs do not exhibit as drastic an initial decay in current density with time compared to the Pt/C, indicating better resistance to CO poisoning. 43 Notably, the structures of DWFs remained intact after CA test confirmed by TEM images in Figure S14. A comparison of catalytic properties for methanol oxidation reaction between DWFs and reported Pt-based catalysts is shown in Table S3.…”

Application of biowaste and nature-inspired (nano)materials in fuel cells

“…A bio-synthesis approach for the preparation of Pt NPs was introduced using sugarcane bagasse and Pt ion salt solution. 201 The electrochemical activity of the as-prepared NPs was compared with that of commercial Pt black. The bio-synthesized nano-spheroid Pt NPs displayed a greater ECSA of 94.58 m 2 g −1 and better current density of 400 mA mg catalyst −1 , which were 3- to 4-times greater than that of commercial Pt.…”