Understanding the influence of Ni, Co, Rh and Pd addition to PtSn/C catalyst for the oxidation of ethanol by in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

• Ethanol oxidation mechanism on PtSn-based ternary catalysts by in situ FTIR.
• High level of CO on Pt/C and PtSnRh/C is indicative of the CC bond cleavage.
• High acetic acid selectivity by the addition of Ni or Pd to PtSn/C.

The reaction mechanism for the oxidation of ethanol on carbon supported Pt, PtSn and PtSn-based trimetallic catalysts has been investigated by in situ Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results showed that the catalytic activity of Pt80Sn10Ni10/C and Pt80Sn10Pd10/C for electrooxidation of ethanol is directly favoured to acetic acid potential at around 0.25 and 0.3 V vs. RHE, respectively. These suggest that the addition of Ni or Pd to PtSn greatly enhances the formation of acetic acid at lower potential. However, Pt/C, Pt80Sn10Ni10/C and Pt80Sn10Rh10/C electrocatalysts showed a better performance than Pt90Sn10/C, Pt80Sn10Co10/C and Pt80Sn10Pd10/C electrocatalysts for the production of CO2 during ethanol oxidation. Therefore, the pathway forming CO2 is favoured by the presence of Ni and Rh in the PtSn.

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