Carbon-ceramic supported bimetallic Pt–Ni nanoparticles as an electrocatalyst for electrooxidation of methanol and ethanol in acidic media

The electrooxidation of methanol and ethanol was investigated in acidic media on the platinum–nickel nanoparticles carbon-ceramic modified electrode (Pt–Ni/CCE) via cyclic voltammetric analysis in the mixed 0.5 M methanol (or 0.15 M ethanol) and 0.1 M H2SO4 solutions. The Pt–Ni/CCE catalyst, which has excellent electrocatalytic activity for methanol and ethanol oxidation than the Pt–Ni particles glassy carbon modified electrode (Pt–Ni/GCE), Pt nanoparticles carbon-ceramic modified electrode (Pt/CCE) and smooth Pt electrode, shows great potential as less expensive electrocatalyst for these fuels oxidation. These results showed that the presence of Ni in the structure of catalyst and application of CCE as a substrate greatly enhance the electrocatalytic activity of Pt towards the oxidation of methanol and ethanol. Moreover, the presence of Ni contributes to reduce the amount of Pt in the anodic material of direct methanol or ethanol fuel cells, which remains one of the challenges to make the technology of direct alcohol fuel cells possible. On the other hand, the Pt–Ni/CCE catalyst has satisfactory stability and reproducibility for electrooxidation of methanol and ethanol when stored in ambient conditions or continues cycling making it more attractive for fuel cell applications.

► Electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol and ethanol on the Pt–Ni nanoparticles modified CCE.
► High stability and reproducibility of the Pt–Ni/CCE electrocatalyst in oxidation of methanol and ethanol.
► Pt–Ni nanoparticles modified CCE as a potent electrocatalyst in the oxidation of alcohols in DAFCs.