Methanol and Ethanol Electro-Oxidation on the Platinum-Cobalt Catalyst Deposited on the Titanium Surface

This work is focused on the preparation of platinum-cobalt catalysts deposited on the titanium surface (denoted as Pt(Co)/Ti) using simple chemical methods as electrocatalyts towards the electro-oxidation of methanol and ethanol in an alkaline medium. The Pt-Co catalysts were deposited on the titanium surface by a two-step process which involves electroless cobalt deposition followed by a spontaneous Pt displacement from platinum-containing solution.

The morphology, structure and composition of the prepared catalysts were examined by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis and Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy. The electrochemical behavior of the prepared catalysts towards the oxidation of methanol and ethanol was investigated by means of cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and chronopotentiometry.

The Pt(Co)/Ti catalysts with low Pt loading demonstrated their significantly higher electrocatalytic activity towards methanol and ethanol oxidation as compared to that of bare Pt and Co/Ti electrodes and seem to be a promising anode materials for direct methanol and ethanol fuel cells.