Activity of Platinum/Carbon and Palladium/Carbon Catalysts Promoted by Ni2P in Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells. Issue 12 (22nd October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Guoqiang; Feng, Ligang; Chang, Jinfa; Wickman, Björn; Grönbeck, Henrik; Liu, Changpeng; Xing, Wei
• Is Part Of: ChemSusChem. Volume 7:Issue 12(2014:Dec.)
• Page Start: 3374
• Page End: 3381
• Publication Date: 2014-10-22
• Subjects: Green chemistry -- Periodicals; Sustainable engineering -- Periodicals; Chemistry -- Periodicals; Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; 660
• DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201402705
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1864-5631

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Ethanol is an alternative fuel for direct alcohol fuel cells, in which the electrode materials are commonly based on Pt or Pd. Owing to the excellent promotion effect of Ni₂P that was found in methanol oxidation, we extended the catalyst system of Pt or Pd modified by Ni₂P in direct ethanol fuel cells. The Ni₂P‐promoted catalysts were compared to commercial catalysts as well as to reference catalysts promoted with only Ni or only P. Among the studied catalysts, Pt/C and Pd/C modified by Ni₂P (30 wt %) showed both the highest activity and stability. Upon integration into the anode of a homemade direct ethanol fuel cell, the Pt‐Ni₂P/C‐30 % catalyst showed a maximum power density of 21 mW cm⁻², which is approximately two times higher than that of a commercial Pt/C catalyst. The Pd‐Ni₂P/C‐30 % catalyst exhibited a maximum power density of 90 mW cm⁻². This is approximately 1.5 times higher than that of a commercial Pd/C catalyst. The discharge stability on both two catalysts was also greatly improved over a 12 h discharge operation.</p> </abstract>