Electrochemical Performance of Low Pt and Ru Loaded Fe-Ni Bimetallics as an Anode Electrode in Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells

Abstract

In this study, electrochemical behavior of low Pt and Ru loaded (< 1%) Fe-Ni bimetallics prepared by ion exchange technique were investigated. This study also demonstrates that low Pt loaded carbon supported non-noble bimetallics like FeNi can show even better performance than commercial Pt/C electro-catalyst. Surface and bulk properties of home-made electro-catalysts were determined by XPS and ICP techniques. At the same time, electrochemical stability and activity of electro-catalysts towards ethanol electro-oxidation were observed. Current densities of Pt/C loaded Fe-Ni reduced at 450°C exhibited higher current densities than PtRu/C at very short oxidation times. Also, the current decay behavior of Fe-Ni-Pt/C was sensitive to fuel cell operating temperature. Application of homemade electro-catalysts on the anode electrode of direct ethanol fuel cell showed superior polarization compared to Pt/C (20wt% Pt) commercial catalyst. During anodic polarization, two different regions were detected on Fe-Ni-Pt/C before 0.5V and after 0.5V. Negative effect of operating temperature was observed before 0.5V, which may be due to the corrosion of anode electrode. Positive effect of operating temperature were observed after 0.5V, which may be due to the formation of Fe, Ni, oxyhydroxides and oxides of Fe and Ni passivating the electrode surface and supporting the removal of surface adsorbates during ethanol electro-oxidation.