DEMS studies of the ethanol electro-oxidation on TiOC supported Pt catalysts–Support effects for higher CO2 efficiency

Direct ethanol fuel cells are highly promising energy conversion devices, but the complete oxidation of ethanol to CO2 at low temperatures is still one of the main challenges. Titanium oxycarbide (TiO1-xCx) powder is investigated as stable and synergistic support for Pt nanoparticles during the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) in acidic electrolytes. EOR products are quantitatively detected online with differential electrochemical mass spectrometry. At room temperature, Pt/TiO1-xCx has a CO2 efficiency maximum of 8.9%, while only 1.7% are measured for Pt nanoparticles on Vulcan carbon (Pt/C). The reaction pathway is channeled towards the formation of C1 products, while C2 product formation is suppressed. This effect is expected to be much enhanced at elevated temperatures which makes TiO1-xCx a highly interesting catalyst support material in general.