The exploration of anode catalyst materials with low platinum loading, high catalytic activity and high CO tolerant ability is one the most important issues for the development of direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). Recently, CeO₂ are found to be an efficient promoter for the Pt/C catalysts towards methanol oxidation with both higher electro-catalytic activity and better stability [1, 2]. However, the poor conductivity of CeO₂ is not benefit for the fast electron transfer on the electrode catalysts, which may lead to the poor performance of the catalysts. We have synthesized doped lanthanide oxides with different compositions, sizes and exposed facets, and combine them with Pt/MWCNTs [3] via different routes. Then the oxygen storage behaviors and variable valences of lanthanide ions are optimized to improve the electro-catalytic activities and CO tolerant abilities of Pt/nanocarbon in methanol oxidation. After the investigation of the relationship between the interface structures of lanthanide oxide- Pt/MWCNTs, the mechanisms about the promotion of the catalytic performance of Pt/MWCNTs by lanthanide oxides will be discussed.

Reference:

[1]  Kakati, N., Maiti, J., Lee, S. H., Jee, S. H., Viswanathan, B., Yoon, Y. S., Anode Catalysts for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells in Acidic Media: Do We Have Any Alternative for Pt or Pt-Ru?, Chemical Reviews 2014, 114, 12397.

[2]  Chu, Y. Y., Wang, Z. B., Jiang, Z. Z., Gu, D. M., Yin, G. P., A novel structural design of a Pt/C-CeO 2 catalyst with improved performance for methanol electro-oxidation by β-cyclodextrin carbonization Advanced Materials 2011, 23, 3100.

[3] Chu, H. B., Shen, Y. H., Lin, L., Qin, X. J., Feng, G., Lin, Z. Y., Wang, J. Y., Liu, H. T., Li, Y., Ionic-Liquid-Assisted Preparation of Carbon Nanotube-Supported Uniform Noble Metal Nanoparticles and Their Enhanced Catalytic Performance. Advanced Functional Materials, 2010, 20, 3747-3752.