Increased interface effects of Pt-Fe alloy/CeO2/C with Pt-Fe selective loading on CeO2 for superior performance in direct methanol fuel cell

Here, a simple two-step solvothermal approach has been employed to synthesize Pt-Fe alloy (or Pt)/CeO2/C with Pt-Fe (or Pt) selective loading on CeO2 nanoparticles. In addition, the selective loading of Pt-Fe alloy or Pt nanoparticles on the surface of CeO2 is achieved under weak alkaline environment, which is mainly attributed to the opposite electrostatic force between H- enriched on the surface of CeO2 particles and OH - covered with carbon supporters. As-prepared Pt-Fe alloy (or Pt)/CeO2/C catalysts with two-stage loading structures show more excellent electro-catalytic efficiency for methanol oxidation as well as duration compared with commercial Pt/C and Pt-CeO2/C with random loading structure. Further, single-cell assembly based on Pt 3 Fe/CeO2/C as the anode catalyst exhibits a maximum power density of 31.1 mW cm(-2), which is 1.95 times that of an analogous cell based on the commercial Pt/C. These improved performances with considerable low Pt content (<0.3 mg cm(-2)) are mainly ascribed to the abundant three phase interfaces (Pt- CeO2-carbon) induced by the selective and efficient dispersion of Pt nanoparticles on ceria. (C) 2019 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.