Rational synthesis of ternary PtIrNi nanocrystals with enhanced poisoning tolerance for electrochemical ethanol oxidation

Yahia H. Ahmad, Assem T. Mohamed, Khaled M. Youssef, Subhajit Kundu, K. Andre Mkhoyan, Siham Y. Al-Qaradawi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

The development of highly efficient and durable anode materials for ethanol electro-oxidation remains a challenge. Herein, we report the synthesis of Pt 1−x−y Ir x Ni y nanocrystals via one-step procedure by ultrasonic-assisted co-reduction of the metal precursors using ascorbic acid as a mild reducing agent and pluronic F127 as a structure directing agent. The catalytic performance of this ternary catalyst towards electrochemical oxidation of ethanol was examined and compared to its mono and binary Pt counterparts (Pt, Pt 1−x Ir x , and Pt 1−y Ni y ) that are synthesized by the same method. TEM analysis showed a porous nanodendritic structure for the synthesized ternary electrocatalyst with an average size of 20 ± 1 nm. The electrochemical measurements revealed an electrochemically active surface area, ECSA, of 73 m 2 g −1 . The as-synthesized ternary electrocatalyst showed an improved catalytic activity towards ethanol oxidation in 1 M KOH with a measured mass activity of 3.8 A mg −1 which is 1.7, 2.0, and 3.2 times higher than that of Pt 1−x Ir x , Pt 1−y Ni y , and Pt, respectively. Additionally, the Pt 1−x−y Ir x Ni y nanocrystals expressed high poisoning tolerance (j f /j b = 4.5) and high durability compared to its mono and binary counterparts.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)61-67
Number of pages7
JournalElectrochemistry Communications
Volume101
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2019

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019

Keywords

  • Electro-oxidation
  • Ethanol
  • Iridium
  • Nickel
  • Platinum alloy
  • Porous nanodendrites

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