Electro-oxidation of C1 molecules at Pt-based catalysts highly dispersed into a polymer matrix: Effect of the method of preparation

The electro-oxidation of oxygenated molecules containing one carbon atom (methanol, formaldehyde and formic acid) was systematically studied at highly dispersed Pt-based electrodes. The method of preparation appeared to be a key point, particularly for Pt-Sn catalysts. An important decrease of the poisoning phenomena was systematically found, mainly with this latter electrode, but also with Pt-Ru and Pt-Ru-Sn electrodes. In the case of methanol oxidation, ruthenium-modified Pt electrodes are the best electrocatalysts, displaying the weakest poisoning. Conversely, for formic acid and formaldehyde oxidation, Pt-Sn alloys give the most interesting results, better than those obtained with Pt-Ru.