Energy conversion using Pt-Pd/C anode catalyst in direct 2-propanol fuel cell

S. S. Mahapatra (1) and J. Datta (2)

1) Department of Chemistry, BIT-Mesra, Ranchi-835215, Jharkhand, India.
2) Department of Chemistry, IIEST, Shibpur, Howrah-711 103, West Bengal, India.

Carbon – Science and Technology 8/2 (2016) 83 – 91. 

© Applied Science Innovations Private Limited, India.

Full Text (OPEN ACCESS) : CST-196.pdf

Keywords: 2-propanol; Electro-oxidation; Pt-Pd/C; Electrocatalyst

Abstract: The Pt-Pd/C electrocatalyst was synthesized on graphite substrate by the electrochemical codeposition technique. The Physico-chemical characterization of the catalyst was done by SEM, XRD and EDX. The electrochemical characterization of the Pt-Pd/C catalyst for 2-propanol electro-oxidation was studied over a range of 2-propanol concentrations in alkaline medium using cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The activity of 2-propanol oxidation increased with the increase of 2-propanol concentration, at 2-propanol concentration greater than 1.0 M, no change in the oxidation peak current density is because of excess 2-propanol at the electrode surface and/or depletion of OH− at the electrode surface. The Pt-Pd/C catalyst shows good stability and the low value of charge transfer resistance. The enhanced electrocatalytic activity of the electrodes is ascribed to the synergistic effect of higher electrochemical surface area, preferred OH− adsorption and ad-atom contribution on the alloyed surface.