Cryogels from Pt/γ-Fe₂O₃ and Pd/γ-Fe₂O₃ NPs as Promising Electrocatalysts for Ethanol Oxidation Reaction

authored by

Hadir Borg, Irene Morales, Daniel Kranz, Nadja C. Bigall, Dirk Dorfs

Abstract

Cryogels from noble metal NPs have proven to be highly efficient catalysts due to their high specific surface area which increases the mass transfer channels and catalytic active sites. By using metal oxides as co-catalysts, the costs of the material can be significantly reduced, while the catalytic activity can remain the same or even improve due to synergetic effects. In this work, we synthesize different cryogel thin films supported on modified ITO substrates from Pt, Pd nanoparticles (NPs), and mixtures of these noble metals with γ-Fe₂O₃ NPs in a very low concentration (1 wt% of the noble metal). Structural and elemental analysis of the samples are performed, along with the measurement and analysis of their catalytic activity. The electrocatalytic activity of the cryogels towards ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) in alkaline media was evaluated by means of cyclic voltammetry. By mixing γ-Fe₂O₃ NPs with Pt or Pd NPs in the cryogel structure, we observe increased tolerance against poisonous surface intermediates produced during the EOR. Moreover, we observe an increase in the catalytic activity towards EOR in the case of the 1 wt% Pd/γ-Fe₂O₃ cryogel, making them promising materials for the development of direct ethanol fuel cells.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry
PhoenixD: Photonics, Optics, and Engineering - Innovation Across Disciplines
Laboratory of Nano and Quantum Engineering

External Organisation(s)

Delta University

Type

Article

Journal

CATALYSTS

Volume

13

ISSN

2073-4344

Publication date

06.07.2023

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Catalysis, Environmental Science(all), Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13071074 (Access: Open)