Electrosynthesized reduced graphene oxide-supported platinum nanoparticles on carbon-ceramic electrode for electrooxidation of ethanol

The challenges of climate change and energy access have raised the tremendous efforts to introduce renewable and green energy sources for the replacement of fossil fuels [1-3]. Ethanol appears to be the promising alternative candidates as sustainable and renewable energy sources for the future perspectives. The electrochemical oxidation of ethanol (EOR) has attracted great attention for the development of low-temperature fuel cells where, offers a high energy density (8 kWh/kg) without the hazardous effects. Moreover, large amounts of ethanol biofuel can be produced during the fermentation of biomass such as numerous available agricultural products [2,4,5]. Achieve high efficiency of EOR need to introducing the capable electrocatalyst materials to enhance the kinetic reaction rate. It is well known that Pt is the most active electrocatalyst for energy production and conversion. Pt is commonly supported on the activated carbon or carbon black in order to enhance its activity and stability. In the recent years great efforts have been made to develop noncarbon materials for catalyst supports [6] such as grapheme (Gr). Gr has exhibited excellent electrical conductivity and extremely high specific surface area (2600m2/g), and therefore, Gr should be explored as a support material to improve electrocatalytic activity of catalyst particles for ethanol oxidations. Gr is widely used as catalysts support for ethanol oxidation [7,8]. In this study, we have systematically investigated the effects of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as a catalyst support on the electrocatalytic activity of Pt for ethanol oxidation used in acidic media. The electrocatalyst was deposited on the carbon-ceramic electrode (CCE). Then, the electrooxidation of ethanol on rGO-supported Pt and Pt nanoparticles was characterized by cyclic voltammetry in an electrolyte of 0.3 M CH3CH2OH and 0.1 M H2SO4. Fig.1. shows the cyclic voltammograms (CVs) of ethanol electrooxidation. 296 Fig.1. CVs of 0.3 M ethanol on the Pt/rGO/CCE (curve a) and on the Pt/CCE (curve b) in 0.1 M H2SO4 at a scan rate of 50 mV.s-1. As seen in Fig.1. Pt/rGO/CCE was provided higher currents than Pt/CCE therefore the Pt/rGO/CCE has high electrocatalytic activity for ethanol electrooxidation. The effect of some experimental factors was studied and optimum conditions were suggested. Then, the long-term stability of modified electrode has also been studied.