Increased interface effects of Pt Fe alloy/CeO2/C with Pt Fe selective loading on CeO2 for superior performance in direct methanol fuel cell

Abstract Here, a simple two-step solvothermal approach has been employed to synthesize Pt Fe alloy (or Pt)/CeO 2 /C with Pt Fe (or Pt) selective loading on CeO 2 nanoparticles. In addition, the selective loading of Pt Fe alloy or Pt nanoparticles on the surface of CeO 2 is achieved under weak alkaline environment, which is mainly attributed to the opposite electrostatic force between H + enriched on the surface of CeO 2 particles and OH − covered with carbon supporters. As-prepared Pt Fe alloy (or Pt)/CeO 2 /C catalysts with two-stage loading structures show more excellent electro-catalytic efficiency for methanol oxidation as well as duration compared with commercial Pt/C and Pt CeO 2 /C with random loading structure. Further, single-cell assembly based on Pt 3 Fe/CeO 2 /C as the anode catalyst exhibits a maximum power density of 31.1 mW cm −2 , which is 1.95 times that of an analogous cell based on the commercial Pt/C. These improved performances with considerable low Pt content ( −2 ) are mainly ascribed to the abundant three phase interfaces (Pt CeO 2 carbon) induced by the selective and efficient dispersion of Pt nanoparticles on ceria.