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Alcohol Oxidation Reactions on Porous PtCu/C Catalysts

Choi, Heewon

Abstract Details

2014, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Chemistry.
Pt and Pt-based metal alloys are the most effective electrocatalysts for fuel cells utilizing small organic molecules as fuels. Some of these fuels include alcohols such as in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs), direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) and organic acids in direct formic acid fuel cells (DFAFCs). Pt-based catalysts are the most efficient in the electrocatalysis of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the cathode. A 50at% Pt – 50at% Cu catalyst has been used as the catalyst for the alcohol oxidation reaction experiments. In this thesis work, I report that a PtCu/C exhibits higher activity and lower overpotential compared to a pure Pt/C. The ratio of the forward anodic peak current (If) to the reverse anodic peak current (Ib), If/Ib is utilized, to evaluate the CO poisoning resistance of Pt-based catalysts. The data shows that a PtCu/C has a higher catalytic activity, higher If/Ib ratio, and lower overpotential values for the methanol, ethanol and formic acid oxidation reactions compared to a commercial Pt/C in both acidic and basic conditions. Various AOR experiments were performed, such as the effect of Pt deposition time (0.25 min - 2.5 min Pt) on the composition of electrode and the effect of temperature (RT – 80 °C). Also, cyclic voltammograms (CV) were collected at different sweep rates (2 mV/s - 500 mV/s) and different rotation rates (0 rpm - 1600 rpm). Degradation studies were also done on the Pt/C and PtCu/C catalysts deposited on the electrodes.
Anne Co (Advisor)
Yiying Wu (Committee Member)
128 p.

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Citations

  • Choi, H. (2014). Alcohol Oxidation Reactions on Porous PtCu/C Catalysts [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1405352022

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Choi, Heewon. Alcohol Oxidation Reactions on Porous PtCu/C Catalysts . 2014. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1405352022.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Choi, Heewon. "Alcohol Oxidation Reactions on Porous PtCu/C Catalysts ." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1405352022

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)