Methanol resistant ruthenium electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction synthesized by pyrolysis of Ru-3(CO)(12) in different atmospheres

作者：Altamirano Gutierrez A; Jimenez Sandoval O^*; Uribe Godinez J; Castellanos R H; Borja Arco E; Olivares Ramirez J M

来源：International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2009, 34(19): 7983-7994.

DOI：10.1016/j.ijhydene.2009.07.046

• Ruthenium
• Electrocatalyst
• Oxygen reduction
• Polymer electrolyte fuel cell
• Direct methanol fuel cell

Novel ruthenium electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) were prepared by pyrolysis of Ru-3(CO)(12) in three atmospheres: neutral (N-2), partially oxidative (air) and partially reductive (70:30 N-2/H-2), at temperatures in the 80-700 degrees C range. The materials were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. A thermogravimetric analysis of the Ru-3(CO)(12) precursor in the three atmospheres was also performed. The electrocatalytic properties of the materials were evaluated by rotating disk electrode measurements in 0.5 mol L-1 H2SO4. The kinetic parameters, such as the Tafel slope, exchange current density and charge transfer coefficient, are reported. The catalysts prepared in N-2 and N-2/H-2, in general, show a higher performance than those synthesized in air. In the two nitrogen containing atmospheres, a pyrolysis temperature of 360 degrees C seems to lead to better electrocatalytic properties for the ORR. The new electrocatalysts are also tolerant to methanol concentrations as high as 2.0 mol L-1.

• 出版日期2009-10