Investigation of iridium composition in Ti1–xIrxO2 (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) nanostructures as potential supports for platinum in methanol electro-oxidation

Publication date: Available online 1 October 2019Source: Comptes Rendus ChimieAuthor(s): Vi Thuy Thi Phan, Tai Thien Huynh, Hau Quoc Pham, Anh Tram Ngoc Mai, Thy Ho Thi Anh, Thi Hong Tham Nguyen, Thang Manh Ngo, Van Thi Thanh HoAbstractTo overcome the disadvantages of commercial carbonaceous catalysts in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs), novel Pt/Ti1–xIrxO2 catalysts are fabricated in this study. Simultaneously, the influence of the Ir composition in the support on the electrocatalytic activities and physicochemical properties of Pt/Ti1–xIrxO2 catalysts is also evaluated. Ti1–xIrxO2 materials with the tunable Ir composition (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) synthesized via a simple and green hydrothermal route exhibited much higher electrical conductivity and surface area than the undoped TiO2. Furthermore, the well-distributed Pt nanoparticles (NPs) with small sizes (∼3 nm) over supports were obtained by using a modified chemical reduction route. Electrochemical results revealed that a series of 20 wt. % Pt/Ti1–xIrxO2 catalysts exhibited superior durability and electrochemical activity toward the methanol oxidation reaction to the commercial 20 wt. % Pt/C (E-TEK) catalyst. According to these results, Ti1–xIrxO2 materials seem to be very promising as a stable catalyst support in the harsh medium of DMFCs.
Source: Comptes Rendus Chimie - Category: Chemistry Source Type: research