Electrodeposited PtCo and PtMn electrocatalysts for methanol and ethanol electrooxidation of direct alcohol fuel cells

Abstract PtCo and PtMn electrocatalyst particles were successfully synthesized on Ti substrate by the electrodepostion method. PtCo particles deposited are star-shaped particles with size of 100–200 nm and very porous with many slices of ∼10 nm. On the other hand, PtMn particles are spherical and have no obvious conglomeration, and the particle is in the range of 100–200 nm. The results reveal that the effect of the incorporation of Co and Mn on the electrochemical active surface area of Pt nanoaprticles is very small. However, incorporation of trace Co and Mn in Pt (e.g., Pt 1000 Co and Pt 1000 Mn) has dramatic effect on the electrochemical oxidation reaction of alcohol. The mass specific peak current for the methanol oxidation in alkaline media is 49 mA cm −2 and 39 mA cm −2 on Pt 10000 Mn and Pt 1000 Co, which is three and two times higher, respectively, than that on pure Pt electrocatalyst nanoparticles. PtMn and PtCo electrocatalysts also show significant enhanced stability for methanol oxidation. However, the electrocatalytic enhancement of Co or Mn to Pt is relatively small for the electrooxidation reactions of ethanol in alkaline media.