Platinum–Copper Bimetallic Nanodendritic Electrocatalyst on a TiO₂-Based Support for Methanol Oxidation in Alkaline Fuel Cells

Abstract

Tuning the structure and morphology of Pt-based nanocatalysts is a facile but efficient strategy for advancing their electro-oxidation performance for small molecules. This study introduces a simple microwave-assisted process for the rapid preparation of bimetallic Pt3Cu nanodendrites (NDs) with multibranched morphology on a W-modified TiO2 nanosupport. The as-prepared nanocatalyst shows superior performance to C-supported Pt nanoparticles (NPs) (E-TEK) toward the methanol oxidation reaction with a negative onset potential, high-current density, and impressive CO tolerance and durability. The enhancement can be assigned to the unique properties of the dendritic-like nanostructure and the synergic and electronic effects of the compounds, Pt3Cu nanoalloy, and mesoporous W-modified TiO2 nanosupport. This work can open up an efficient approach for fabricating bimetallic Pt–M nanoalloys with a tunable structure and morphology to enhance their electrocatalytic performance with a decrease of Pt consumption for electrochemical energy conversion.

Fabrication of donor‐acceptor ‐donor type conjugated polymers@double‐layered hollow carbon spheres composite as PtCu alloy catalyst support for MOR

“…The total charge corresponding to the H + adsorption can be identified from the integrated area under the adsorption peak in the CV curve. The electrochemically surface area (ECSA, m 2 g −1 ) was determined from the following equation 3 : …”

“…As a green portable power source, direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) are the proper alternatives to traditional fossil fuels because of their higher energy density, stable conversion efficiency and low pollutant emission 1,2 . Currently, Pt‐based materials are widely used as an anode catalyst in DMFCs, but the low abundance, high cost and easily poisoning of Pt catalyst by CO‐like intermediates (COads), and poor durability of operation have been decreased the catalytic reaction efficiency significantly limited its commercialization worldwide 3 . And these disadvantages have triggered the research for promising catalyst support that can enable the Pt to distribute uniformly with low consumption and greatly enhance the electrocatalytic activity 4 .…”

“…1,2 Currently, Pt-based materials are widely used as an anode catalyst in DMFCs, but the low abundance, high cost and easily poisoning of Pt catalyst by CO-like intermediates (COads), and poor durability of operation have been decreased the catalytic reaction efficiency significantly limited its commercialization worldwide. 3 And these disadvantages have triggered the research for promising catalyst support that can enable the Pt to distribute uniformly with low consumption and greatly enhance the electrocatalytic activity. 4 Another major strategy to enhance the intrinsic activity and reduce the cost is the preparation of Pt-based catalysts by incorporating cheaper transition metals (Cu, Fe, Ni, among others) with Pt.…”

Dual Matrix Influence on Ni(II) Rich Hybrid Catalyst for Electrochemical Methanol Oxidation Reaction

“…Apart from the metals, the heterogeneous support that controls the growth of the metal nanocatalyst also plays a pivotal role. [23,36,37] Our recent studies on the zeolite-Y support nanocatalysts have provided a possible pathway to decorate finely distributed nanocatalyst of smaller dimension that can boosts the MOR process. Zeolite has certain advantages like it can acts as hard template, provided a good particles distribution, provided a good surface area, provide an environment to improve the activity of metals towards CO oxidation and are stable at high temperature.…”

“…Therefore, finding a suitable Ni‐based nanocatalyst that can exhibit MOR activity with current density and low onset potential is highly desirable. Apart from the metals, the heterogeneous support that controls the growth of the metal nanocatalyst also plays a pivotal role [23,36,37] . Our recent studies on the zeolite‐Y support nanocatalysts have provided a possible pathway to decorate finely distributed nanocatalyst of smaller dimension that can boosts the MOR process.…”