Understanding the influence of Ni, Co, Rh and Pd addition to PtSn/C catalyst for the oxidation of ethanol by in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

International audienceThe reaction mechanism for the oxidation of ethanol on carbon supported Pt, PtSn and PtSn-based trimetallic catalysts has been investigated by in situ Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results showed that the catalytic activity of Pt80Sn10Ni10/C and Pt80Sn10Pd10/C for electrooxidation of ethanol is directly favoured to acetic acid potential at around 0.25 and 0.3 V vs. RHE, respectively. These suggest that the addition of Ni or Pd to PtSn greatly enhances the formation of acetic acid at lower potential. However, Pt/C, Pt80Sn10Ni10/C and Pt80Sn10 Rh-10/C electrocatalysts showed a better performance than Pt90Sn10/C, Pt80Sn10Co10/C and PtsoSnioPdio/C electrocatalysts for the production of CO2 during ethanol oxidation. Therefore, the pathway forming CO2 is favoured by the presence of Ni and Rh in the PtSn