Graphene and Spherical CeO 2 -ZrO 2 Support Pt Nanoparticles as Anode Catalysts for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

Spherical CeO 2 and CeO 2 -ZrO 2 solid solutions are prepared using a hydrothermal method, Pt/CeO 2 -ZrO 2 /GO and Pt-CeO 2 /GO catalysts are prepared using graphene as a carrier, and the effects of the addition of a CeO 2 -ZrO 2 solid solution on the electrocatalytic activity, stability and anti-CO poisoning performance of methanol fuel cell anodes are investigated. The catalyst samples are characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the electrochemical properties of the catalysts are investigated using an electrochemical workstation (IVIUM). The results show that Pt/CeO 2 -ZrO 2 /GO has a higher electrocatalytic activity and stability against CO oxidation than Pt-CeO 2 /GO, Pt/GO and commercial Pt/C catalysts, which is attributed to ZrO 2 . When Zr 4+ is added into the CeO 2 lattice, the activity of oxygen in the CeO 2 lattice, the oxygen mobility and the oxygen vacancies are increased, the oxygen storage capacity is improved, and the intermediate product of CO is more easily oxidized. This finding indicates that Pt/CeO 2 -ZrO 2 /GO is a methanol oxidation anode catalyst with a good catalytic activity, stability and resistance to CO poisoning.