Exploration of the Structure and Catalytic Activity of Modified Platinum Substrates

Crown, Alechia

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Description

Title

Exploration of the Structure and Catalytic Activity of Modified Platinum Substrates

Author(s)

Crown, Alechia

Issue Date

2001

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Wieckowski, Andrzej

Department of Study

Chemistry

Discipline

Chemistry

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

Engineering, Materials Science

Language

eng

Abstract

In recent years, fuel cell technology has become an intense focus of the energy research community as a potentially viable alternative to emissions-producing devices. Both methanol and formic acid are promising fuels for this type of technology; however, to maintain catalytic efficiency and purity, the platinum anode must be modified by another metal, altering the electronic and catalytic properties of the platinum favorable toward methanol or formic acid oxidation. Palladium is known to enhance the catalytic activity of platinum towards formic acid oxidation while ruthenium and osmium increase the effectiveness of the catalyst toward methanol electrooxidation. Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM), X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and electrochemical methods are ideal techniques to probe the structure and catalytic activity of platinum surfaces modified by noble metal adatoms. STM and XPS studies correlate surface coverage and composition with electrochemical activity and provide a valuable method for determining highly active modified platinum substrates for methanol oxidation.

Graduation Semester

2001

Type of Resource

text

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