Influence of underpotentially deposited Sb onto Pt anode surface on the performance of direct formic acid fuel cells

We first reported on electrocatalytic activity and stability of antimony modified platinum (PtSbupd) as anode catalyst in direct formic acid fuel cells. Sb modified Pt (PtSbupd) was prepared by underpotential deposition technique applying constant potential of 0.2 V (vs. Ag/AgCl, 3M KCl) and its modified surface was characterized by XRD and XPS. The electrocatalytic oxidation activity by cyclic voltammograms and the single cell power performance of Sb modified Pt were measured and their results were compared with the data of unmodified Pt electrode. PtSbupd induced lower onset potential of formic acid oxidation and twice higher power density of 250 mW cm−2 was observed.