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Stability Testing of Pt x Sn1 − x /C Anodic Catalyst for Renewable Hydrogen Production Via Electrochemical Reforming of Ethanol

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Abstract

The stability testing of three different synthesized Pt x Sn1 − x /C anodic catalysts has been demonstrated for the renewable generation of hydrogen via the electrochemical reforming of ethanol in a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis cell. Three Pt-Sn anodic catalysts with different nominal Pt:Sn ratios of 60:40, 70:30, and 80:20 atomic (at.) % were synthetized and characterized by the means of electrochemical tests and XRD. Among them, the Pt-Sn anodic catalyst with 70:30 at. ratio showed the highest electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) and highest electrochemical reforming activity, which allowed the production of pure H2 with the lowest electrical energy requirement (below 23 kWh·kgH2 −1). The stability of the system was also demonstrated through a long-term chronopotentiometry experiment of 48 h in duration. The potential for practical use and coupling this technology with renewable solar energy, a number of cyclic voltammetry tests (with a low scan rate of 0.19 mV·s−1) were also carried out. These experiments were performed by simulating the electrical power produced by a photovoltaic cell. This test showed good stability/reproducibility of the MEA and, hence, a suitable integration between the two technologies for the sustainable energy storage in the form of hydrogen.

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Funding Information

We acknowledge the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competiveness (project CTQ2016-75491-R) for the financial support. A. B. Calcerrada would like also to thank the Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha (JCCM) and the European Social Fund for the financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Chemical Sciences and Technology, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. Camilo José Cela 12, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain

    Ana B. Calcerrada, Ana R. de la Osa, Fernando Dorado & Antonio de Lucas-Consuegra

  2. Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Catalysis Research and Innovation (CCRI), University of Ottawa, 161 Louis-Pasteur St, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada

    Holly A. E. Dole & Elena A. Baranova

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  1. Ana B. Calcerrada
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  2. Ana R. de la Osa
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  6. Antonio de Lucas-Consuegra
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Correspondence to Antonio de Lucas-Consuegra.

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Calcerrada, A.B., de la Osa, A.R., Dole, H.A.E. et al. Stability Testing of Pt x Sn1 − x /C Anodic Catalyst for Renewable Hydrogen Production Via Electrochemical Reforming of Ethanol. Electrocatalysis 9, 293–301 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12678-017-0428-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12678-017-0428-0

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