Electrooxidation of Ethylene Glycol and Glycerol by Pt-Based Binary and Ternary Templated Catalysts in Alkaline Media

Spray pyrolysis of metal precursors was used to synthesize binary and ternary templated Pt based catalysts. Characterization of the catalysts was performed using SEM, TEM, and EDS to determine morphology, purity and composition. The electrochemical performance of PtRu, PtSn, and PtRuSn was evaluated via cyclic voltammetry and steady state polarization for oxidation of ethylene glycol and glycerol. The ternary PtRuSn catalyst had the highest metal utilization, as well as the highest maximum current. This work emphasizes the gains provided by adding modifiers to Pt catalysts for oxidation of complex alcohols.