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Co-sputtered PtxPdyAlz thin film electrocatalysts for the production of hydrogen via SO2(aq) electro-oxidation

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Abstract

A co-sputtered PtxPdyAlz ternary system was investigated for potential use as anode catalyst for the electro-oxidation of aqueous sulphur dioxide (SO2), a key reaction in the hybrid sulphur (HyS) process for splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen. Combining the noble metals Pt and Pd with Al resulted in no significant improvement in onset potential; however, current output was improved for the majority of the electrocatalysts evaluated. Of these electrocatalysts, only a single ternary composition exhibited improved stability when compared to pure Pt. It was found that a combination of Pt40Pd57Al3 (annealed at 900 °C) exhibited superior performance when compared to pure Pt and the previously determined best binary electrocatalyst, i.e. Pt3Pd2. Current density (mA.mg Pt−1) increased from 108.11 to 181.21 and finally to 396.73 for Pt, Pt3Pd2 and Pt40Pd57Al3, respectively, indicating an increase in activity that correlates with a decrease in Pt content. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed an increase in surface roughness for Pt, Pt3Pd2 and Pt40Pd57Al3, while the occurrence of metal interaction and certain degrees of Al migration (a result of annealing) was confirmed for Pt40Pd57Al3 by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD).

The electro-oxidation of aqueous SO2 is a key reaction in the hybrid sulphur (HyS) process for water-splitting. A sputtered PtxPdyAlz ternary system was investigated for potential use as anode catalyst. It was found that a combination of Pt40Pd57Al3 annealed at 900 °C, exhibited noteworthy performance when compared to pure Pt and the previously determined best binary electrocatalyst, i.e. Pt3Pd2. Current density (mA.mg Pt−1) increased from 108.11 to 181.21 and finally to 396.73 for Pt, Pt3Pd2, and Pt40Pd57Al3, respectively, indicating an increase in activity that correlates with a decrease in Pt content.

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Acknowledgments

The financial assistance of the National Research Foundation (NRF) towards this research is hereby acknowledged (UNIQUE GRANT NO: 92704). Opinions expressed and conclusions arrived at, are those of the authors and are not necessarily to be attributed to the NRF. The assistance of Dr. L. Tiedt with EDX, Mr. H.S. Kotzé with annealing and Me. L. Swartzberg with conventional electrochemistry runs, is gratefully acknowledged. In addition we want to express our gratitude to Mr. E. Lebraud (engineer, ICMCB UPR 9048, 87 av. Albert Schweitzer, 33608 Pessac Cédex France) for assistance with XRD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Electrochemistry for Energy & Environment Group, Research Focus Area: Chemical Resource Beneficiation (CRB), North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa

    A. Falch & R. J. Kriek

  2. ISM, CNRS UMR 5255, University of Bordeaux, F-33400, Talence, France

    V. A. Badets

  3. PLACAMAT UMS 3626 CNRS, University of Bordeaux, 87 av. Albert Schweitzer, 33608, Pessac Cédex, France

    C. Labrugère

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  1. A. Falch
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  2. V. A. Badets
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  4. R. J. Kriek
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Correspondence to R. J. Kriek.

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Falch, A., Badets, V.A., Labrugère, C. et al. Co-sputtered PtxPdyAlz thin film electrocatalysts for the production of hydrogen via SO2(aq) electro-oxidation. Electrocatalysis 7, 376–390 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12678-016-0319-9

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