Synthesis and Characterization of Tin-Oxide Supported Platinum as a Cathode Catalyst in Direct Methanol Fuel Cells
PublicIt is imperative to reduce society’s reliance upon the limited supply of fossil fuels. Direct methanol fuel cells are an attractive solution but there are several problems encountered by contemporary carbon-supported catalysts including poor efficiency and short life cycles due in part to methanol crossover. The following research investigated the potential of SnO2 as a replacement for carbon due to its high electrical conductivity, good corrosion resistance, and resistance to the effects of methanol crossover. In this paper, two synthesis methods to prepare Pt/SnO2 are reported: the impregnation process and the colloidal process, both relying primarily on ethylene glycol as the reduction solvent. The synthesized Pt/SnO2 material was characterized by TEM, SEM, EDX, and cyclic voltammetry.
- This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.
- Creator
- Publisher
- Identifier
- E-project-042412-140055
- Advisor
- Year
- 2012
- Date created
- 2012-04-24
- Resource type
- Major
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