Bimetallic platinum-ruthenium nanoparticles immobilized on reduced graphene oxide-TiO2 (RGO-TiO2) support for ethanol electro oxidation in acidic media

The present work addresses the potentialities of Pt-Ru nanoparticles deposited on a gra-phene oxide (RGO) and TiO2 composite support towards electrochemical oxidation of ethanol in acidic media relevant for fuel cell applications. To immobilize platinum-ruthenium bimetallic nanoparticles on to an RGO-TiO2 nanohybrid support a simple solution-phase chemical reduction method is utilized. An examination using electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) indicated that Pt-Ru particles of 4-8 nm in diameter are dispersed on RGO-TiO2 composite support. The corresponding Pt- Ru/RGO-TiO2 nanocomposite electrocatalyst was studied for the electrochemical oxida- tion of ethanol in acidic media. Compared to the commercial Pt-Ru/C and Pt/C catalysts, Pt- Ru/RGO-TiO2 nanocomposite yields higher mass-specific activity of about 1.4 and 3.2 times, respectively towards ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR). The synergistic boosting provided by RGO-TiO2 composite support and Pt-Ru ensemble together contributed to the observed higher EOR activity and stability to Pt-Ru/RGO-TiO2 nanocomposite compared with other in-house synthesized Pt-Ru/RGO, Pt/RGO and commercial Pt-Ru/C and Pt/C electrocatalysts. Further optimization of RGO-TiO2 composite support provides opportu- nity to deposit many other types of metallic nanoparticles onto it for fuel cell electro- catalysis applications. (c) 2022 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study investigates the potential of Pt-Ru nanoparticles deposited on a graphene oxide (RGO) and TiO2 composite support for the electrochemical oxidation of ethanol in acidic media. The Pt-Ru/RGO-TiO2 nanocomposite exhibits higher mass-specific activity compared to commercial Pt-Ru/C and Pt/C catalysts. The synergistic effects of RGO-TiO2 composite support and Pt-Ru ensemble contribute to the observed higher activity and stability. Furthermore, the optimization of RGO-TiO2 composite support offers opportunities for depositing other types of metallic nanoparticles for fuel cell electrocatalysis applications.