Ordered intermediate compound PtBi-modified Pt/C catalyst for 2-propanol electrooxidation in alkaline medium

The PtBi-modified Pt/C catalyst was prepared by liquid chemical reduction method. X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to characterize PtBi-modified Pt/C catalyst. The electrochemical behaviors for the 2-propanol electrooxidation reaction in alkaline medium were measured by cyclic voltammetry, line sweep voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS). The results showed that the prepared PtBi is ordered intermediate compound. Compared with the spectrum obtained from Pt/C catalyst, the XPS peak of PtBi-modified Pt/C catalyst is obviously moving toward the low Pt 4f biding energy. The Bi-0 and Bi2O3 coexist on the surface of PtBi/C catalyst. In alkaline medium, the electrochemical activity of 2-propanol electrooxidation of PtBi/C catalyst is higher than that of commercial Pt/C catalyst. EIS result shows that the reaction mechanism of 2-propanol electrooxidation for both catalysts is similar.