Synthesis of FAU zeolite-C composite as catalyst support for methanol electro-oxidation

We report the effect of the methodology used for the synthesis of faujasite zeolite with carbon (FAU-C) as support of platinum nanoparticles for alcohol oxidation reaction (methanol and ethanol). The FAU-C support was synthesized by sol-gel (SG) and hydrothermal (HT). XRD results showed a higher Pt crystallinity in the Pt-FAU-C SG compared to Pt-FAU-C HT. The zeolite crystallinity was diminished when the FAU-C was synthesized by SG route. TEM results of Pt-FAU-C SG showed a higher agglomeration of Pt particles onto the support compared to Pt-FAU-C HT. The onset potential indicated higher electrochemical activity for Pt-FAU-C samples than Pt/C commercial sample. The Pt-FAU-C SG shows the highest current density for methanol and ethanol oxidation compared to Pt-FAU-C HT and Pt/C. All these results can be attributed to the synthesis method used for the FAU-C support. Zeolite presence modified the electronic properties of Pt, improving the catalytic activity of Pt for MOR.