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Pt dendrimer nanocomposites for oxygen reduction reaction in direct methanol fuel cells

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Abstract

Dendrimer-encapsulated Pt nanoparticles (G4OHPt) were prepared by chemical reduction at room temperature. The G4OHPt, with average diameters of ca. 2.7 nm, were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Electrocatalytic behavior for oxygen reduction reaction was investigated using a rotating disk electrode configuration in an acidic medium, with and without the presence of methanol (0.01, 0.1, and 1 M). Kinetic studies showed that electrodes based on Pt nanoparticles encapsulated inside the dendrimer display a higher selectivity for ORR in the presence of methanol than electrodes based on commercial Pt black catalysts. Also, the dendritic polymer confers a protective effect on the Pt in the presence of methanol, which allows its use as a cathode in a direct methanol fuel cell operating at different temperatures. Good performance was obtained at 90 °C and 2 bar of pressure with a low platinum loading on the electrode surface.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by The Mexican Council for Science and Technology (CONACyT, Grant 45517). L-G J and E-G IL are grateful to CONACyT for graduate fellowships. Arriaga LG expresses thanks to The Mexican Council for Science and Technology (Conacyt, SEP-Conacyt 61067).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico en Electroquímica, Parque Tecnológico Querétaro, Sanfandila, Pedro Escobedo, C. P., 76703, Querétaro, Mexico

    J. Ledesma-Garcia, I. L. Escalante-Garcia, Thomas W. Chapman, L. G. Arriaga & Luis A. Godinez

  2. CNR-ITAE, Via Salita S. Lucia sopra Contesse 5, 98126, Messina, Italy

    V. Baglio, V. Antonucci & A. S. Aricò

  3. Tozzi Renewable Energy SpA, Via Zuccherificio, 10, 48010, Mezzano (RA), Italy

    R. Ornelas

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  1. J. Ledesma-Garcia
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  2. I. L. Escalante-Garcia
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  4. L. G. Arriaga
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  5. V. Baglio
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  9. Luis A. Godinez
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Correspondence to Luis A. Godinez.

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Ledesma-Garcia, J., Escalante-Garcia, I.L., Chapman, T.W. et al. Pt dendrimer nanocomposites for oxygen reduction reaction in direct methanol fuel cells. J Solid State Electrochem 14, 835–840 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-009-0862-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-009-0862-x

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