| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 179980 | Electrochemistry Communications | 2011 | 4 Pages |
Carbon-supported PtPb intermetallic compound (PtPb/C) is prepared by modified polyol method, and its electrochemical performance for methyl formate electrooxidation is investigated by half cell and single cell tests in comparison with commercial Pt/C and PtRu/C catalysts. In half cell operation at low potentials below 0.4 V, the dominant reaction is the oxidation of formic acid produced by acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of methyl formate, and PtPb/C exhibits the highest activity. At higher potentials, methanol joins the oxidation process of methyl formate and PtRu/C shows the high activity. In single cell operation, PtPb/C shows the highest performance for electrooxidation of methyl formate and could become a practical anode electrocatalyst for direct methyl formate fuel cells.
Research highlights► PtPb/C intermetallic compound is prepared by modified polyol method. ► Acid catalyzed hydrolysis of methyl formate to methanol and formic acid has occurred. ► The dominant reaction is the oxidation of formic acid at low potentials below 0.4 V. ► At higher potentials, methanol joins the oxidation process of methyl formate. ► PtPb/C outperforms commercial PtRu/C in direct methyl formate fuel cell operation.
