High stability three-dimensional porous PtSn nano-catalyst for ethanol electro-oxidation reaction

ABSTRACT In addition to the theoretical research, direct ethanol fuel cells have great potential in practical applications. The performance of direct ethanol fuel cells largely depends on the electrocatalysts. Pt-based electrocatalysts have been promising candidates for advancing direct ethanol fuel cells for its high catalytic activity and great durability. Here, a PtSn catalyst with unique three-dimensional porous nanostructure has been designed and synthesized via a two-step liquid phase reduction reaction. Sn formed a self-supporting framework in PtSn alloy particles (∼3.5 nm). In ethanol electro-oxidation reaction, the PtSn catalyst exhibited high mass activity and excellent recycling time compared with that of Pt/C. After the morphology characterization before and after potential cycling, the PtSn alloy-based nano-catalyst showed good stability. The PtSn catalysts effectively avoid structural instability due to the external carriers, and prolong the leaching time of Sn. In addition, the introduction of a certain amount of Sn can also solve the poisoning phenomenon of active sites on Pt surface. The design strategy of porous alloy nano-catalyst sheds light on its applications in direct ethanol fuel cells.