The methods developed and described in paper–part I are employed to prepare nanometer size Pt-Ru particles on a Vulcan XC72R substrate with controlled metal loading. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) confirmed uniform particles size (average diameter 2nm) and homogeneous dispersion of the particles over the substrate. Energy Dispersive X-ray absorption (EDX) analysis confirmed the compositional homogeneity. The catalytic activity of these supported nanoparticles with regard to methanol electrooxidation is investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry (CA) and CO-stripping voltammetry techniques at temperatures between 25°C and 60°C. Such investigation concerns supported catalysts prepared with c.a. 10 and 18 wt% overall metal loading (Pt + Ru) onto the Vulcan XC72R substrate. Comparative testing of our catalysts and a commercial Pt-Ru/Vulcan reveals markedly superior activity for our catalysts. In fact, we observe for the latter a five-fold increase of the oxidation current as compared to a commercial Pt-Ru/Vulcan with equal metal loading. One of the reasons for the greater activity is found to be the very high dispersion of the metals over the substrate, i.e. the large surface area of the active phase. Other reasons are plausibly ascribable to the varied Pt/Ru composition and/or reduced presence of contaminants at the catalyst surface.
Novel Pt-Ru nanoparticles formed by vapour deposition as efficient electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation, Part II. Electrocatalytic activity
TRICOLI, VINCENZO
2006-01-01
Abstract
The methods developed and described in paper–part I are employed to prepare nanometer size Pt-Ru particles on a Vulcan XC72R substrate with controlled metal loading. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) confirmed uniform particles size (average diameter 2nm) and homogeneous dispersion of the particles over the substrate. Energy Dispersive X-ray absorption (EDX) analysis confirmed the compositional homogeneity. The catalytic activity of these supported nanoparticles with regard to methanol electrooxidation is investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry (CA) and CO-stripping voltammetry techniques at temperatures between 25°C and 60°C. Such investigation concerns supported catalysts prepared with c.a. 10 and 18 wt% overall metal loading (Pt + Ru) onto the Vulcan XC72R substrate. Comparative testing of our catalysts and a commercial Pt-Ru/Vulcan reveals markedly superior activity for our catalysts. In fact, we observe for the latter a five-fold increase of the oxidation current as compared to a commercial Pt-Ru/Vulcan with equal metal loading. One of the reasons for the greater activity is found to be the very high dispersion of the metals over the substrate, i.e. the large surface area of the active phase. Other reasons are plausibly ascribable to the varied Pt/Ru composition and/or reduced presence of contaminants at the catalyst surface.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
