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Insights in the Study of the Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells using Hybrid Platinum‐Ceria Nanorods Electrocatalysts
Author(s) -
Pinheiro Victor S.,
Souza Felipe M.,
Gentil Tuani C.,
Böhnstedt Paula,
Paz Edson C.,
Parreira Luanna S.,
Hammer Peter,
Batista Bruno L.,
Santos Mauro C.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
chemelectrochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.182
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 2196-0216
DOI - 10.1002/celc.201901253
Subject(s) - x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , electrocatalyst , nanorod , platinum , materials science , chemical engineering , open circuit voltage , transmission electron microscopy , catalysis , analytical chemistry (journal) , chemistry , electrode , nanotechnology , electrochemistry , organic chemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , voltage , engineering
This work reports on the synthesis and characterization of hybrid electrocatalysts based on Pt nanoparticles and ceria nanorods (CeO 2 NR) supported on Vulcan XC‐72 carbon black (Pt x (CeO 2 NR) y C z ) and evaluation of their electrocatalytic activity towards the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), aiming the application of 4‐electrons process in direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs). The hybrid electrocatalysts are characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), energy‐dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), contact angle measurements and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS), CO‐stripping analysis and electrocatalytic activity for ORR studied by the rotating ring‐disc electrode (RRDE) technique and single fuel cell experiments. The Pt x (CeO 2 NR) y C z hybrid electrocatalysts prove to be efficient for ORR in a 4‐electron process, maintaining a high conversion rate of O 2 to H 2 O, even at reduced platinum (Pt) load. The electrocatalyst presents a notable an unusual behavior in single fuel cell experiments presenting slightly lower open circuit voltage than Pt based commercial electrocatalysts, containing Pt only, as well as improved current and power density. This is achieved at operating temperatures between 40 °C and 70 °C, making the material very promising for application in high efficiency low temperature fuel cells.