Preparation of PtSn/C and PtSnNi/C electrocatalysts using the alcohol-reduction process

PtSn/C electrocatalyst with Pt:Sn molar ratio of 50:50 and PtSnNi/C electrocatalyst with a Pt:Sn:Ni molar ratio of 50:40:10 were prepared by the alcohol-reduction process using ethylene glycol as solvent and reducing agent. The electrocatalysts were characterized by EDX, XRD, TEM and cyclic voltammetry. The electro-oxidation of ethylene glycol was studied by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry using the thin porous coating technique. PtSnNi/C electrocatalyst showed a superior performance compared to PtSn/C electrocatalysts in the potential range of interest for direct ethylene glycol fuel cell.