| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 179711 | Electrochemistry Communications | 2012 | 4 Pages |
This work reports improved electrode kinetics of ethanol oxidation on the conducting polymer composite matrix, poly-vinyl carbazole (PNVC) crossed linked with V2O5 and embedded with Pt-Pd nano crystallites. The metal incorporated polymer composite produces much higher current for ethanol electro-oxidation in alkaline medium compared to their carbon supported counterpart. The former also exhibits higher tolerance to CO-poisoning leading to a satisfactory level of ethanol conversion to the end products as estimated by chromatographic analysis. The structure and morphology of the catalysts surface were determined by SEM and XRD analysis. Various electrochemical techniques were employed to evaluate the kinetic parameters related to electro-oxidation of ethanol. Activation energy for the oxidation reaction is remarkably reduced, using the PNVC support, consistently throughout an extended potential region.
► PNVC-V2O5 found to be a good supporting matrix for dispersion of nano particles. ► Adequate OH – coverage facilitated by π acidity of the composite matrix. ► Faster electron propagation through the conjugative structure of PNVC-V2O5. ► Well access of reactant molecules to catalyst layer at three phase boundary region. ► PtPd incorporated PNVC-V2O5 accelerates the EOR kinetics in alkaline environment.
