Speaker
Description
Pollution from fossil fuels resulting from industrialization, urbanization and technological progress greatly affects the environment and human health. Thus, the main challenge confronting both the scientific community and humanity is to reduce reliance on fossil fuels by shifting energy production and consumption to renewable energy sources. The development of catalysts for the electrooxidation of small organic molecules, such as formic acid, requires an optimal balance between cost and catalytic activity and stability. Platinum (Pt) remains among the most effective choices for formic acid electrooxidation (FAO), despite its high cost, limited availability, and susceptibility to carbon monoxide poisoning. Catalysts incorporating multiple active metals can significantly enhance performance while reducing the use of Pt.
In this study, platinum-based catalysts were produced using a galvanic displacement method, in which platinum and iridium (Ir) replace nickel. The thin film PtIr@Ni catalyst was obtained via a two-step spontaneous galvanic displacement process. Following synthesis, the catalyst underwent thermal treatment to further improve activity and stability. The activity of the catalysts was tested in the formic acid electrooxidation reaction, while the influence of thermal treatment on the surface morphology was monitored using atomic force microscopy (AFM).
Catalysts obtained using this approach, in addition to being very active and stable, contain extremely small amounts of precious metal, thereby lowering the overall cost and bringing fuel cell technology closer to full commercialization.