Investigation of Pt<inf>x</inf>M<inf>y</inf>/C electrocatalysts for H <inf>2</inf>O<inf>2</inf> reduction in acid solution

Abstract

Recent studies have shown that hydrogen peroxide (H2O 2) significantly increases the power density of direct borohydride fuel cells, so attention has fallen to the use of this compound as the oxidant, instead of the usual oxygen. In this paper, carbon supported Pt and Pt xMy bimetallic alloy electrocatalysts are studied for H2O2 reduction. Three different electrocatalysts, namely Pt/C, Pt0.75Ni0.25/C and Pt0.75Co 0.25/C are characterised using X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Electrocatalytic activity is examined by linear scan and cyclic voltammetry using a rotating disc electrode system. It is concluded that the three studied materials exhibit similar behaviour for H2O 2 reduction, with Pt0.75Co0.25/C showing the highest electroactivity among them.