Electrooxidation of ethanol on novel multi-walled carbon nanotube supported platinum–antimony tin oxide nanoparticle catalysts

We synthesize the new Pt based catalyst for direct ethanol fuel cells using novel multi-walled carbon nanotubes supported platinum–antimony tin oxide (Pt–ATO/MWCNT) nanoparticle as new catalyst support for the first time. The structure of Pt–ATO/MWCNT catalyst is characterized by transmission electron micrograph (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The electrocatalytic properties of Pt–ATO/MWCNT catalyst for ethanol electrooxidation reactions are investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometric experiments in acidic medium. The electrocatalytic activity for ethanol electrooxidation reaction shows that high carbon monoxide tolerance and good stability of Pt–ATO/MWCNT catalyst compared with Pt–SnO2/MWCNT and commercial Pt/C are observed. These results imply that Pt–ATO/MWCNT catalyst has promising potential applications in direct alcohol fuel cells.