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Zn-enriched PtZn nanoparticle electrocatalysts synthesized by solution combustion for ethanol oxidation reaction in an alkaline medium

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Abstract

This work focuses on the syntheses of Zn-enriched PtZn nanoparticle electrocatalysts by solution combustion for ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR). Analytical techniques of x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy, TEM/scanning TEM-energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy are used for the characterization of electrocatalysts. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry are applied for the electrocatalysis of C2H50H and stability test in an alkaline medium, respectively. Electrochemical data show that PtZn/C has improved electrocatalytic activity by ~2.3 times compared with commercial Pt/C, in addition to having earlier onset potential and better stability for EOR. The variation of fuel amount in the synthesis has affected crystallite sizes, electronic, and electrochemical properties in electrocatalysts.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This publication was made possible by NPRP grant (NPRP8-509-2-209) from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation). The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the author(s). The authors also gratefully acknowledge the Gas Processing Centre (GPC) and the Central Laboratory Unit (CLU) at the Qatar University and the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI) at the Qatar Foundation for services related to XPS, TEM, and STEM–HAADF–EDS analyses, respectively.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemicala Engineering, Qatar University, P. O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar

    Md. Abdul Matin, Anand Kumar, Mohammed Ali H. Saleh Saad & Mohammed J. Al-Marri

  2. Qatar Environmental and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), HBKU, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar

    Sergey Suslov

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  1. Md. Abdul Matin
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  2. Anand Kumar
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  3. Mohammed Ali H. Saleh Saad
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  4. Mohammed J. Al-Marri
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Correspondence to Anand Kumar.

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Matin, M.A., Kumar, A., Saad, M.A.H.S. et al. Zn-enriched PtZn nanoparticle electrocatalysts synthesized by solution combustion for ethanol oxidation reaction in an alkaline medium. MRS Communications 8, 411–419 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1557/mrc.2018.62

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