Electrosynthesized reduced graphene oxide-supported platinum nanoparticleson carbon-ceramic electrode for electrooxidation of ethanol

The challenges of climate change and energy access have raised the tremendous efforts tointroduce renewable and green energy sources for the replacement of fossil fuels [1-3]. Ethanolappears to be the promising alternative candidates as sustainable and renewable energy sourcesfor the future perspectives. The electrochemical oxidation of ethanol (EOR) has attracted greatattention for the development of low-temperature fuel cells where, offers a high energy density (8kWh/kg) without the hazardous effects. Moreover, large amounts of ethanol biofuel can beproduced during the fermentation of biomass such as numerous available agricultural products[2,4,5]. Achieve high efficiency of EOR need to introducing the capable electrocatalyst materialsto enhance the kinetic reaction rate. It is well known that Pt is the most active electrocatalyst forenergy production and conversion. Pt is commonly supported on the activated carbon or carbonblack in order to enhance its activity and stability. In the recent years great efforts have beenmade to develop noncarbon materials for catalyst supports [6] such as grapheme (Gr). Gr hasexhibited excellent electrical conductivity and extremely high specific surface area (2600m2/g),and therefore, Gr should be explored as a support material to improve electrocatalytic activity ofcatalyst particles for ethanol oxidations. Gr is widely used as catalysts support for ethanoloxidation [7,8]. In this study, we have systematically investigated the effects of reduced grapheneoxide (rGO) as a catalyst support on the electrocatalytic activity of Pt for ethanol oxidation usedin acidic media. The electrocatalyst was deposited on the carbon-ceramic electrode (CCE). Then,the electrooxidation of ethanol on rGO-supported Pt and Pt nanoparticles was characterized bycyclic voltammetry in an electrolyte of 0.3 M CH3CH2OH and 0.1 M H2SO4.Fig.1. shows the cyclic voltammograms (CVs) of ethanol electrooxidation. As seen in Fig.1. Pt/rGO/CCE was provided higher currents than Pt/CCE therefore thePt/rGO/CCE has high electrocatalytic activity for ethanol electrooxidation. The effect of someexperimental factors was studied and optimum conditions were suggested. Then, the long-termstability of modified electrode has also been studied.

کلیدواژه ها:

Electrosynthesize ، Graphene ، Platinum ، Nanoparticles ، Ethanol