Rutile Ti<sub>0.9</sub>Ir<sub>0.1</sub>O<sub>2</sub>‐Supported Low Pt Loading: An Efficient Electrocatalyst for Ethanol Electrochemical Oxidation in Acidic Media
Hau Quoc Pham, Tai Thien Huynh
Abstract
Developing a cost‐effective electrocatalyst toward ethanol electrochemical oxidation plays a vital role in large‐scale applications of direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs). Herein, a rutile Ti 0.9 Ir 0.1 O 2 ‐supported low Pt‐loading catalyst is fabricated using a surfactant‐free one‐pot chemical reduction route at room temperature that not only reduces the amount of the Pt loading but also significantly enhances the CO antipoisoning and electrochemical stability toward ethanol electrochemical oxidation compared with the conventional carbon‐supported Pt electrocatalyst. The rutile Ti 0.9 Ir 0.1 O 2 nanosupport with rod‐like morphology is first prepared via a one‐pot hydrothermal route, and then 15.5 wt% Pt nanoparticles with small size (≈3 nm) are anchored on it by the surfactant‐free chemical reduction process. For ethanol electrochemical oxidation, the rutile Ti 0.9 Ir 0.1 O 2 ‐supported Pt catalyst shows a moderate current density (≈13.74 mA cm −2 ), which is comparable with the 20 wt% Pt/C electrocatalyst, despite its low loading (15.5 wt%). In addition, the rutile Ti 0.9 Ir 0.1 O 2 ‐supported low Pt‐loading electrocatalyst demonstrates low onset potential (0.45 V vs normal hydrogen electrode [NHE]), superior CO‐tolerance, and impressive electrochemical stability compared with the carbon‐supported Pt catalyst. These enhancements are ascribable to the inherent durability of the rutile TiO 2 nanostructure and the synergistic effect between Pt and Ti 0.9 Ir 0.1 O 2 nanosupport.