Ethanol fuel cell: new electrocatalysts systems

Abstract

Ethanol fuel cell has major drawbacks to be overcame. Electrocatalysts systems are one of the major concerns in the development of ethanol fuel cells. In this work we synthesized two different systems: PtRuDy and PtU. PtRuDy shows electroactivities similar to Pt3Sn, that is pointed out as the best catalyst for ethanol oxidation. PtU shows a promise result when operated with ethanol and after this with hydrogen and oxygen again. It is well established that electrocatalysts systems as PtRu when operated with alcohols these systems shows a huge degradation when operating with hydrogen again. PtRuDy system shows 46% of degradation while operating with ethanol and turning back to hydrogen. PtU system shows no degradation at all after operating with ethanol 1.0 mol L-1 and turning to hydrogen again.