Anode Catalysts for Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells Utilizing Directly Solar Light Illumination

Abstract

National Natural Science Foundation of China [20476001]; Natural Science Foundation of Anhui province [070414160]Novel PtNiRu/TiO(2) anode catalysts for direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) were prepared from PtNiRu nonoparticles (1:1:1 atomic ratios) and a nonoporous TiO(2) film by a sol-gel and electrodeposition method, The performances of the catalysts for ethanol oxidation were investigated by cyclic voltommetry, chronoamperometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results indicate a remarkable enhancement of activity for ethanol oxidation under solar light illumination. Under solar light illumination, the generated oxidation peak current density is 24.6 mA cm(-2), which is about 2.5 times higher than that observed without solar light (9.9 mA cm(-2)). The high catalytic activity of the PtNiRu/TiO(2), complex catalyst for the electrooxidation of ethanol may be attributed to the modified metal/nonoporous TiO(2) film, and the enhanced electrooxidation of ethanol under solar light may be due to the photogeneration of holes in the modified nonoporous TiO(2), film