Pt/IrO2/CNT anode catalyst with high performance for direct methanol fuel cells

Carbon nanotube immobilized IrO2 (IrO2/CNT) was prepared by a simple oxidation method with hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant and used as an improved catalyst support to load active Pt to prepare Pt/IrO2/CNT anode catalyst for direct methanol fuel cell. Electrochemical measurement revealed that Pt/IrO2/CNT exhibits much higher activity for methanol oxidation and better CO tolerance than Pt/CNT. The anodic peak current of methanol oxidation on Pt/IrO2/CNT (873.1A gPt− 1) is 2.6 times that of Pt/CNT catalyst (335.7A gPt− 1). The enhanced performance of Pt/IrO2/CNT is attributed to the fact that IrO2 improves the dispersion of Pt nanoparticles, and lowers the charge transfer resistance in methanol electrooxidation.

Pt/IrO2/CNT exhibits a much higher electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation than Pt/CNT, due to the formation of Pt particles with a smaller size and higher CO oxidation ability with the introduction of IrO2.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► IrO2/CNT (carbon nanotube) is prepared by a hydrogen peroxide oxidation method.
► Pt/IrO2/CNT anode catalyst is prepared with IrO2/CNT as an improved support.
► IrO2 greatly improves the dispersion of Pt nanoparticles on CNT.
► Pt/IrO2/CNT exhibits much higher stability and better CO tolerance than Pt/CNT.
► Pt/IrO2/CNT exhibits excellent performance for methanol electrooxidation.