Controlled synthesis of Pt-Sn/C fuel cell catalysts with exclusive Sn–Pt interaction: Application in CO and ethanol electrooxidation reactions

A series of Sn modified carbon supported Pt electrocatalysts displaying an increasing amount of the Pt3Sn crystalline phase within their structure has been prepared by using controlled surface reactions (CSRs). This synthetic route results in the exclusive incorporation of Sn onto the Pt sites yielding Pt(1−x)Snx and Pt3Sn phases. As demonstrated by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy the amount of the Pt3Sn phase within the electrocatalysts can be controlled by tuning the reaction conditions in CSRs. CO and ethanol electrooxidation reactions were studied over these new type of Sn-Pt/C catalysts, demonstrating that the presence of the Pt3Sn structure effectively facilitates both processes, particularly the ethanol electrooxidation.