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Pt‐Sn Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanodots as Anode Catalysts for Alcohol Electro‐oxidation in Acidic Conditions
Author(s) -
Gwebu Sandile Surprise,
Nomngongo Philiswa Nosizo,
Maxakato Nobanathi Wendy
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
electroanalysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.574
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1521-4109
pISSN - 1040-0397
DOI - 10.1002/elan.201800098
Subject(s) - electrocatalyst , platinum , catalysis , methanol , electrochemistry , materials science , nanodot , tin , inorganic chemistry , nanoparticle , chemical engineering , chemistry , electrode , nanotechnology , organic chemistry , metallurgy , engineering
The Pt‐Sn/CNDs electrocatalyst was synthesized by the alcohol reduction method with the aim to reduce platinum loading and improve electroactivity. XPS results showed that the nanoparticles were present in the form of Pt‐Sn metallic alloy with a significant amount of SnO‐ species which facilitate the rapid oxidation of CO intermediates. The lattice parameter of Pt in Pt‐Sn/CNDs electrocatalyst was calculated to be 0.3926 nm; this value is higher than 0.3921 nm, the lattice parameter of Pt in Pt/CNDs electrocatalyst. XRD results proved that incorporating tin (Sn) into the Pt/CNDs electrocatalyst modifies the face centred cubic shape of platinum to a crystalline structure which improves the alcohol electro‐oxidation reactions. The electrochemical tests proved that the Pt‐Sn/CNDs electrocatalyst exhibited high current densities and lower poisoning rates compared to the Pt/CNDs and Pt/C electrocatalysts. The Pt‐Sn/CNDs electrocatalyst showed the greatest electroactivity for both methanol and ethanol electro‐oxidation reactions.