Highly electronegative PtAu alloy for simultaneous hydrogen generation and ethanol upgrading
Kun Yin, Menggang Li, Yuguang Chao, Yin Zhou, Shaojun Guo, Fangze Liu, Hongbo Li
Abstract
Simultaneous electrochemical synthesis of high‐value‐added chemicals and hydrogen is a promising technology for efficient carbon utilization and renewable energy storage. However, the lack of rational guidance for designing efficient catalysts for electrosynthesis significantly hinders its development. A new technology of simultaneous generation of hydrogen and upgrading of ethanol by using catalysts based on PtAu nanoparticles (NPs) was reported. At a current density of 10 mA·cm −2 , the cell using PtAu nanoparticles had a low onset potential of 0.67 V, much lower than those of PtIr NPs (0.85 V) and commercial platinum on carbon catalyst (Pt/C) (0.92 V). PtAu NPs also possessed higher Faraday efficiencies of 79% for ethyl acetate production and 95% for hydrogen evolution than PtIr NPs and Pt/C. In addition, the cell based on PtAu NPs exhibited no obvious degradation of performance after a current‐time stability test for 1000 s. Further study revealed that the introduction of highly electronegative Au into Pt‐based nanomaterials could facilitate the activation of ethanol. This work can benefit the rational design of catalysts with enhanced selectivity of electrosynthesis.