Methanol oxidation reaction

Mesoporous TiO 2 was prepared, inside "Taurasi" grape skins. The peel impregnation was followed by magnetic resonance imaging, to monitor the transport process in the natural template and the interaction of the solute with the templating structure. Moreover, the prepared mesoporous structure was used to support ultra-small platinum nanoparticles (USNPs), allowing high dispersion and maximizing active metals utilization. USNPs characterization was performed by means of high-resolution analytical transmission electron microscopy, CO-Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Low Pt loaded TiO 2 was then tested in methanol oxidation reactions, showing an excellent behavior: negligible onset potentials (0.06 V) and very high If/Ib ratio (3.85). The results obtained in this work evidence the outstanding performances of the synthesized nano-electrocatalysts.

Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) are emerging as clean and renewable energy sources for global-scale sustainable energy solutions. However, several limitations of the current standard catalyst (platinum supported carbon black: Pt/C) prevent their commercialization. As an effective co-catalyst, Au@CeO2 core-shell structures are greatly advantageous for getting over the remaining hurdles of Pt/C in DMFCs. Herein, we report an efficient approach for the fabrication of electrocatalyst for DMFCs consisting of three components (Pt/C, Au@CeO2 and Pt catalysts) loaded on carbon cloth using spray and electrophoresis deposition methods. The obtained Pt/C-Au@CeO2-Pt electrocatalyst proved to have high electrochemical surface area (ECSA-77.8 m2/gPt) and high methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) activity (1267 mA/mgPt), which were 1.7 and 2.3 times greater than those of Pt/C only (45.6 m2/gPt and 560 mA/mgPt). In addition, the presence of Au@CeO2 nanoparticles can further enhance the stability of the Pt/C-Au@CeO2-Pt electrocatalyst toward the MOR activity. The improved MOR performance of the Pt/C-Au@CeO2-Pt electrocatalyst could be mainly attributed to the production of abundant OHads promoters, reduction of charge transfer resistance and enhancement of Pt catalytic efficient utilization. It helps to wholly oxidize COads intermediate as dominant poisoning species on Pt catalyst, which are often generated during the MOR operation in acidic condition.