The most widely used electrocatalyst in direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs) is platinum, due to its relatively high catalytic activity towards the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). However, this catalyst has several disadvantages, such as high cost, poor durability, and carbon monoxide poisoning during MOR, which seriously impede its large-scale commercial application. transition metals such as Co and Ni have been found to provide increased stability and activity due to the transfer of electrons from the transition metal to platinum (reducing the density of state to the fermi level) and the energy of the transition metal Pt-CO bond. In this work, CoPtPd/C ternary alloys as catalysts in different compositions were prepared in situ by tuning the architecture and composition of cobalt in the reduction and displacement of ligands method to improve the efficiency of renewable energy, specifically in the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) in alkaline medium. Chemical analyses indicated that the theoretical and experimental compositions were well matched to obtain Pt70Pd10Co20/C,Pd70Pt10Co20/C, Co70Pt20Pd10/C and Co70Pt10Pd20/C ternary alloys, indicating that the method allowed precise control of components loading. Electrochemical investigations confirmed that the proposed method promoted a better synergistic effect between the components when Co is added in high amounts (70 wt.%) regardless of the noble metal ratio, accelerating the oxidation of the adsorbed CO to CO2, inhibiting the poisoning during MOR. The Co70Pd20Pt10/C electrode materials displayed the highest electroactivity on MOR. This method is a promising alternative to reduce the amount of noble metal in catalysts used in direct alcohol fuel cells.

Miguel Antonio Dominguez Crespo is a researcher at the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN), Mexico. He specializes in materials science, focusing on corrosion-resistant coatings and hybrid materials. He holds a Master’s in Chemical Engineering from IPN. His research involves nanocellulose, polyaniline doping, and rare earth oxide coatings. He uses advanced techniques like RF magnetron sputtering. Dominguez has presented his work at international conferences, including MRS meetings.