Improved performance of self-reactivated Pt-ThO/C catalysts in a direct ethanol fuel cell.

A novel self-reactivated catalyst Pt-ThO/C was prepared for the first time by selecting radioactive material ThO as the catalytic additive to address the low activity and toxicity of the anode Pt/C catalyst in a direct ethanol fuel cell. The catalytic activity and resistance to CO poisoning of Pt-6.67 wt%ThO/C were found to be superior to those of Pt/C-NaBH in electrochemical workstation and single-cell tests. It is speculated that the exist of ThO not only improves the catalytic activity the synergistic effect of Pt and Th, but also produces a large amount of radiolysis products, OH radicals, due to Th which oxidatively desorbs CO from Pt-CO and solves the CO poisoning problem.