Understanding the influence of Ni, Co, Rh and Pd addition to PtSn/C catalyst for the oxidation of ethanol by in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

Abstract

Abstract The reaction mechanism for the oxidation of ethanol on carbon supported Pt, PtSn and PtSn-based trimetallic catalysts has been investigated by in situ Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results showed that the catalytic activity of Pt 80 Sn 10 Ni 10 /C and Pt 80 Sn 10 Pd 10 /C for electrooxidation of ethanol is directly favoured to acetic acid potential at around 0.25 and 0.3 V vs. RHE, respectively. These suggest that the addition of Ni or Pd to PtSn greatly enhances the formation of acetic acid at lower potential. However, Pt/C, Pt 80 Sn 10 Ni 10 /C and Pt 80 Sn 10 Rh 10 /C electrocatalysts showed a better performance than Pt 90 Sn 10 /C, Pt 80 Sn 10 Co 10 /C and Pt 80 Sn 10 Pd 10 /C electrocatalysts for the production of CO 2 during ethanol oxidation. Therefore, the pathway forming CO 2 is favoured by the presence of Ni and Rh in the PtSn.