Pt/AlPO4 nanocomposite thin-film electrodes for ethanol electrooxidation

The enhanced catalytic properties toward ethanol electrooxidation on Pt/AlPO4 nanocomposite thin-film electrodes were investigated. The Pt/AlPO4 nanocomposites with various Al/Pt ratios (0.27, 0.57, and 0.96) were fabricated by a co-sputtering method. All of the Pt/AlPO4 nanocomposites showed a negative shift in the onset potential and a higher current density than those of pure Pt electrode for the electrooxidation of ethanol. Among the various Pt/AlPO4 nanocomposite thin-film electrodes, the electrode with an atomic ratio of Al to Pt of 0.57 showed the highest electrocatalytic activity for ethanol electrooxidation. The activation enthalpy for the optimum Pt/AlPO4 nanocomposite was approximately 0.05 eV lower than that of pure Pt. It is believed that the enhancement in catalytic activity is due to the electron-rich Pt resulting from the Fermi-energy difference between Pt and AlPO4.

► The enhanced ethanol electrooxidation on Pt/AlPO4 nanocomposites is investigated.
► The Pt/AlPO4 exhibits higher current density and lower onset potential than pure Pt.
► The activation enthalpy for optimum Pt/AlPO4 electrode is ∼0.05 eV lower than pure Pt.
► XPS shows electron-rich Pt due to Fermi-energy difference between Pt and AlPO4.