Electrocatalytic performance of Pt-Ni nanoparticles supported on an activated graphite electrode for ethanol and 2-propanol oxidation
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Date
2020
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Abstract
Platinum (Pt) and platinum–nickel (Pt–Ni) electrocatalysts were prepared on activated graphite electrodes
by an electrochemical deposition process. The electrocatalysts were analyzed by scanning electron
microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The
electrocatalytic activity of the prepared electrocatalysts, their stability, and the effect of temperature
toward
ethanol
and
2-propanol
oxidation
were
evaluated
by
cyclic
voltammetry
(CV),
chronoamperometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results showed that the
Pt–Ni/C exhibited higher catalytic activity, better stability and better tolerance to poisoning by ethanol
and 2-propanol oxidation intermediate species compared to Pt/C, which was interpreted as synergistic
and electronic effects between Pt and Ni. A study of the temperature dependence of ethanol and 2-
propanol oxidation in the temperature range of 298–318 K, shows that the apparent activation energy
for ethanol and 2-propanol oxidation on Pt–Ni/C was lower than on Pt/C. The results also revealed that
the electro-oxidation of ethanol and 2-propanol on Pt/C were improved by raising the temperature and
Ni modification.