Synthesis, characterization and electrocatalytic activity for ethanol oxidation of carbon supported Pt, Pt–Rh, Pt–SnO2 and Pt–Rh–SnO2 nanoclusters

Nanoclusters of Pt, Pt–Rh, Pt–SnO2 and Pt–Rh–SnO2 were successfully synthesized by polyol method and deposited on high-area carbon. HRTEM and XRD analysis revealed two phases in the ternary Pt–Rh–SnO2/C catalyst: solid solution of Rh in Pt and SnO2. The activity of Pt–Rh–SnO2/C for ethanol oxidation was found to be much higher than Pt/C and Pt–Rh/C and also superior to Pt–SnO2/C. Quasi steady-state measurements at various temperatures (30–60 °C), ethanol concentrations (0.01–1 M) and H2SO4 concentrations (0.02–0.5 M) showed that Pt–Rh–SnO2/C is about 20 times more active than Pt/C in the potential range of interest for the fuel cell application. Keywords: Pt–Rh–SnO2 nanocatalyst, Ethanol electrooxidation, Direct ethanol fuel cell, Polyol synthesis