Improved performance of self-reactivated Pt–ThO2/C catalysts in a direct ethanol fuel cell

A novel self-reactivated catalyst Pt–ThO2/C was prepared for the first time by selecting radioactive material ThO2 as the catalytic additive to address the low activity and toxicity of the anode Pt/C catalyst in a direct ethanol fuel cell. The catalytic activity and resistance to CO poisoning of Pt-6.67 wt%ThO2/C were found to be superior to those of Pt/C–NaBH4 in electrochemical workstation and single-cell tests. It is speculated that the exist of ThO2 not only improves the catalytic activity via the synergistic effect of Pt and Th, but also produces a large amount of radiolysis products, OH radicals, due to 232Th which oxidatively desorbs CO from Pt–COads and solves the CO poisoning problem.