New Electrocatalysts for Direct Oxidation of Organic Fuels

Abstract

This project has focused on a detailed study of electrocatalysis of organic fuels and important intermediates (COads) on platinum and platinum alloy electrocatalysts, using advanced NMR tools developed in our laboratory. The highlights of the results include: * CO(g) and CH30H adsorb onto and are oxidized from two types of Pt sites: weakly-bound (WB) hydrogen closely-packed sites, and strongly-bound (SB) hydrogen loosely-packed sites. * Relative rates of adsorption have been measured for CO(g) and CH30H on the two types of Pt sites. * The CV for COacts oxidation has been modeled and deconvoluted, and COads oxidation rate constants have been measured for various surface coverages. * The 13COads NMR results are consistent with the two-site model. The NMR peak shift quantitatively indicates the relative occupancy of the two types of sites. * The 13COads NMR peak shape and relaxation times are consistent with a two-site exchange model for COads mobility on Pt surfaces. The exchange rate constant has been measured, and the frequency difference for the 13CO NMR lines corresponding to the two types of sites has been determined.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 12, 2009
Accession Number
ADA510464

Entities

People

  • Elton J. Cairns
  • Jeffrey Reimer

Organizations

  • University of California, Berkeley

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alcohol Fuels
  • Alcohols
  • Catalysis
  • Catalysts
  • Cells
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Chemistry
  • Dielectric Gases
  • Frequency
  • Fuel Cells
  • Fuels
  • Gases
  • Hydrogen
  • Materials
  • Metals
  • Oxidation
  • Platinum

Readers

  • Electrochemical Surface Science
  • Quantum spin resonance or Electron Paramagnetic Resonance spectroscopy.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics