Particle size effect for ethanol electro-oxidation on Pt/C catalysts in half-cell and in a single direct ethanol fuel cell

► A particle size effect for ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) on Pt/C was observed. ► A maximum for both the EOR mass activity and specificy activity was found at a particle size of 2.6 nm. ► In DEFC tests the particle size effect at the anode side was less significant than that observed by half-cell measurements.