Ni-Sn coating as electrocatalyst for ethanol oxidation in alkaline solution

Abstract

NI-Sn alloy coating was deposited galvanostatically at j= -100 mA cm-2 from the bath containing 0.1M Sn2+ and 0.1 M Ni2+ ions in the pyrophosphate-glycine solution. The coating sample was investigated for ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) in alkaline solution using cyclic voltammetry. Chronoamperometric measurements were used to determine the electrocatalyst stability. The presence of Sn can contribute to the oxidation of the EOR products that poisons the Ni surface sites. Also the presence of Sn atoms within the Ni structure, modifies the electronic density of states of Ni, thus preventing strong binding of poisoning species. This work represents a recommendation in developing cost-effective electrocatalyst with high activity and stability for EOR in DEFCs.