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A Pt–Fe Carbon Nitride Nano‐electrocatalyst for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells and Direct‐Methanol Fuel Cells: Synthesis, Characterization, and Electrochemical Studies
Author(s) -
Di Noto V.,
Negro E.,
Gliubizzi R.,
Lavina S.,
Pace G.,
Gross S.,
Maccato C.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.200601003
Subject(s) - electrocatalyst , materials science , electrolyte , chemical engineering , methanol fuel , bimetallic strip , polymer , cyclic voltammetry , raman spectroscopy , electrochemistry , carbon fibers , carbon nitride , methanol , nanoparticle , nanotechnology , catalysis , electrode , photocatalysis , organic chemistry , composite material , chemistry , metal , fuel cells , physics , optics , engineering , metallurgy , composite number
This report describes the preparation of a new nano‐electrocatalyst for applications in polymer electrolyte fuel cells operating with H 2 and methanol. The nano‐electrocatalyst, having the composition K 0.12 [Pt 1 Fe 1.6 C 55 N 0.12 ], consists of a distribution of Pt and Fe bimetallic clusters supported on carbon nitride nanoparticles. This material was synthesized by thermal treatment of a zeolitic inorganic–organic polymer electrolyte‐like (Z‐IOPE) precursor, prepared by reacting H 2 PtCl 6 and K 3 Fe(CN) 6 in the presence of sucrose, as organic binder, in a water solution. This reaction allows the desired material to be prepared by means of a sol→gel process followed by a gel→plastic transition. The morphology and surface properties of K 0.12 [Pt 1 Fe 1.6 C 55 N 0.12 ] were studied via scanning and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopies and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Far‐infrared, mid‐infrared, and micro‐Raman‐laser spectroscopies, as well as X‐ray diffraction studies, together with detailed compositional data reveal the structural information and describe the interactions characterizing the mass activity of the K 0.12 [Pt 1 Fe 1.6 C 55 N 0.12 ] system. This material has structural and morphological features that are very different to those usually found in commercially available electrocatalysts for application in H 2 polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) and direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). K 0.12 [Pt 1 Fe 1.6 C 55 N 0.12 ] consists of active bimetallic catalytic sites supported on a mixture of α and graphitic carbon nitride‐like nanoparticles. The studies performed by cyclic voltammetry with the thin‐film rotating‐disk electrode indicate that the performance of K 0.12 [Pt 1 Fe 1.6 C 55 N 0.12 ] and of the EC‐20 reference material is a) equal to –255 and –216 A g –1 Pt, respectively, in the oxygen‐reduction reaction at 0.75 V; and b) equal to 967 and 533 A g –1 Pt, respectively, in the hydrogen‐oxidation reaction at potentials lower than 0.2 V. The activation potential of K 0.12 [Pt 1 Fe 1.6 C 55 N 0.12 ] is about 15 mV higher than that of the EC‐20 reference. In conclusion, the proposed synthesis route is general and promising for the development of new, improved nano‐electrocatalysts for low‐temperature fuel cells such as PEMFCs and DMFCs.