Carbon supported hybrids nanostructures PtSn with CeO2 nanorods for Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells

Abstract

New energetic sources have been the focus of current researches, including on fuel cells. This device has as its operating principle the conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy, making possible the use of renewable energy sources [1]. In the fuel cells operation are applied nanostructured electrocatalysts capable of oxidizing organic molecules such as ethanol [2]. This work was carried out using PtSn-based electrocatalysts with ceria nanorods (CeO2), synthesized by chemical reduction method via sodium borohydride [2], and supported on carbon Vulcan XC 72 (20% w/w). The synthesized materials have the following mass metal ratios: Pt/C; Pt3Sn1/ C and Pt3Sn1_20%NR/ C, with % of the Pt3Sn1 load replaced by ceria nanorods in the last nanomaterial, in order to reduce the costs of noble metals such as platinum. The evaluation of the activity for ethanol oxidation is given by polarization and power density curves, according to Figure 1. From the polarization curve it was observed that the Pt3Sn1_20%NR/ presented higher open circuit potential value (572 mV), and power density higher than the Pt/C composite material. The Pt3Sn1/C material presented a higher value of power density related to the others, but Pt3Sn1_20%NR/C generated a power density for ethanol oxidation relatively close to the best activity material, by the supply of oxygenated species improved the electrocatalytic activity for CO oxidation, making its application possible.