Carbon‐Free Nanocoral‐Structured Platinum Electrocatalyst for Enhanced Methanol Oxidation Reaction Activity with Superior Poison Tolerance. Issue 2 (23rd January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Barman, Sharat Chandra; Zahed, Md. Abu; Sharifuzzaman, Md.; Kim, Jiyoung; Xuan, Xing; Nah, Joong San; Park, Sehkyu; Park, Jae Yeong
• Is Part Of: ChemElectroChem. Volume 7:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 452
• Page End: 459
• Publication Date: 2020-01-23
• Subjects: nanocoral structure -- carbon-free -- poison tolerance -- enhanced current density -- highly durable -- methanol oxidation reaction; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1002/celc.201901988
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2196-0216

Abstract

Abstract: Poisoning from carbonaceous species and poor mass activity of catalysts are two major challenges that should be overcome for the commercial applications of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC). In this work, superior poison‐tolerant, carbon‐free nanocoral‐structured platinum (ncs‐Pt) catalysts are successfully synthesized by using a micelle‐directed method. The morphology and pore size of ncs‐Pt are tailored by varying the compositional ratio of Pt in the precursor solutions and by changing the molecular ratios of different surfactant blocks. The physical properties of the ncs‐Pt catalyst are observed through field emission scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, whereas the electrochemical characteristics are analyzed through cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The developed ncs‐Pt (5 mM) catalyst exhibits a high density of porous structures, high index facets, lower d‐band center, and a highly negative onset potential (−0.59 V). Therefore, the developed ncs‐Pt catalyst offers enhanced mass activity 6.56 mA/μg and superior poison tolerance 5.62 for the methanol oxidation reaction. Abstract : What's your poison? Carbonaceous species that produced during methanol oxidation reaction are known as poison. These poisonous species blocks the Pt surface consequently reduces the further oxidation of methanol. Superior poison‐tolerant, carbon‐free nanocoral‐structured platinum (ncs‐Pt) catalysts are successfully synthesized by using a micelle‐directed method. The morphology and pore size of ncs‐Pt are tailored by varying the compositional ratio of Pt in the precursor solutions and by changing the molecular ratios of different surfactant blocks. The developed ncs‐Pt (5 mM) catalyst exhibits a high density of porous structures, high index facets, lower d‐band center, and a highly negative onset potential, offering enhanced mass activity and superior poisoning tolerance for the methanol oxidation reaction.