Reformate-tolerant catalyses

Poisoning of platinum fuel cell catalysts by CO is undoubtedly one of the most severe problems in fuel cell anode catalysis. As shown in Fig. 6.1, CO is a strongly bonded intermediate in methanol (and ethanol) oxidation. It is also a side product in the reformation of hydrocarbons to hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and as such blocks platinum sites for hydrogen oxidation. Not surprisingly, CO electrooxidation is one of the most intensively smdied electrocatalytic reactions, and there is a continued search for CO-tolerant anode materials that are able to either bind CO weakly but still oxidize hydrogen, or that oxidize CO at significantly reduced overpotential. 

Wang, L., Murta, K., Inaba, M. (2004). Development of novel highly active and sulphur-tolerant catalysts for steam reforming of liquid hydrocarbons to produce hydrogen. Appl. Catalysis A General 257,443-47. 

Alloy surfaces are of substantial importance in catalysis, such as in the hydrogenation of unsaturated hydrocarbons, Fisher-Tropsch synthesis, steam reforming of methane, and many other processes [41]. In electrocatalysis, they have recently received attention in relation to the development of CO-tolerant fuelcell catalysts [42]. In many of these processes, atomic hydrogen and carbon monoxide are the most important intermediates or poisons therefore, these two adsorbates have received a great deal of attention in theoretical and computational studies. 

Lu, Y., Chen, J., Liu, Y., Xue, Q., and He, M. Highly sulfur-tolerant Pt/Ceo.8Gd02OL9 catalyst for steam reforming of liquid hydrocarbons in fuel cell applications. Journal of Catalysis, 2008, 254... 

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