In Situ ATR-FTIR Studies of Ethanol Electro-oxidation in Alkaline Medium on PtRh/C Electrocatalyst Prepared by an Alcohol Reduction Process

Anion exchange membrane fuel cell is a new chance to produce a functional and portable fuel cell; however, the studies are still at an early stage with few reports regarding the AEMFC. PtRh/C electrocatalysts with different Pt:Rh atomic ratios were prepared by an alcohol reduction process. X-ray diffraction patterns for all PtRh/C materials indicated no shift in Pt(fcc) peaks showing that Rh did not incorporated into Pt lattice; however, the analysis of lattice parameter showed that some Pt atoms are added to Rh(fcc) structure. The mean particle sizes were in the range of 4–5 nm. Electrochemical experiments showed that PtRh/C electrocatalyst with Pt:Rh atomic ratio of 70:30 had superior performance exhibiting a current density of 5.0 mA mg metal −1 . From in situ ATR-FTIR experiments, it was observed that PtRh/C electrocatalyst with Pt:Rh atomic ratio of 70:30 produced more acetate ions than other ones, while the material prepared with Pt:Rh atomic ratio of 50:50 was more selective to CO 2 as observed in acid media. Graphical Abstract Integrated acetaldehyde, carbonate, acetate, and CO 2 band intensity as a function of the electrode potential for Pt/C, Rh/C, and PtRh/C electrocatalysts