Efficient Ni layer impact on Pt/Ni–C alloy electrocatalyst for formic acid electro oxidation fuel cells

To achieve the loaded Pt-based electrocatalyst with improved high performance and stability towards formic acid electro-oxidation reaction (FAOR), Pt/Ni (Pt:Ni = 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 1:3, 5:1) nanoparticles with carbon black XC-72 were prepared by a simple impregnation reduction method. The shape of the nanoparticles was observed as spherical and the average particles size was about 4 nm. Variation of Pt electronic structure by addition of Ni atoms delays chemisorption of toxic CO intermediate specie and encourage the dehydrogenation pathway of FAOR. Electrochemical analysis revealed the improved performance of Pt 3 Ni–C towards the FAOR.