Anode catalysts for direct ethanol fuel cells utilizing directly solar light illumination.
Shine a light: A PtNiRu/TiO(2) anode catalyst for direct ethanol fuel cells shows photocatalytic activity. The peak current density for ethanol oxidation under solar light illumination is 2-3 times greater than that in the absence of solar light. Ethanol is oxidized by light-generated holes, and the electrons are collected by the TiO(2) support to generate the oxidation current.Novel PtNiRu/TiO(2) anode catalysts for direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) were prepared from PtNiRu nanoparticles (1:1:1 atomic ratios) and a nanoporous TiO(2) film by a sol-gel and electrodeposition method. The performances of the catalysts for ethanol oxidation were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results indicate a remarkable enhancement of activity for ethanol oxidation under solar light illumination. Under solar light illumination, the generated oxidation peak current density is 24.6 mA cm(-2), which is about 2.5 times higher than that observed without solar light (9.9 mA cm(-2)). The high catalytic activity of the PtNiRu/TiO(2) complex catalyst for the electrooxidation of ethanol may be attributed to the modified metal/nanoporous TiO(2) film, and the enhanced electrooxidation of ethanol under solar light may be due to the photogeneration of holes in the modified nanoporous TiO(2) film.
Chu
Daobao
D
Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, P.R. China. dbchu@sina.com.cn
Wang
Shuxi
S
Zheng
Peng
P
Wang
Jian
J
Zha
Longwu
L
Hou
Yuanyuan
Y
He
Jianguo
J
Xiao
Ying
Y
Lin
Huashui
H
Tian
Zhaowu
Z
D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D002384:Catalysis; D004566:Electrodes; D000431:Ethanol / Q000737:chemistry*; D008029:Lighting; D053758:Nanoparticles; D055668:Photochemical Processes; D013472:Sunlight; D014025:Titanium
C009495:titanium dioxide; D000431:Ethanol; D014025:Titanium