The performance of Pt nanoparticles supported on Sb2O5.SnO2, on carbon and on physical mixtures of Sb2O5.SnO2 and carbon for ethanol electro-oxidation

Pt nanoparticles were supported on Sb2O5.SnO2 (ATO), on carbon and on physical mixtures of ATO and carbon by an alcohol-reduction process using ethylene glycol as reducing agent. The obtained materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Their performance for ethanol oxidation was investigated at room temperature by chronoamperometry and in a direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) at 100 °C. Pt nanoparticles supported on a physical mixture of ATO and carbon showed a significant increase of performance for ethanol oxidation compared to Pt nanoparticles supported on ATO or on carbon.