Improved performance of self-reactivated Pt-ThO 2 /C catalysts in a direct ethanol fuel cell.

A novel self-reactivated catalyst Pt-ThO 2 /C was prepared for the first time by selecting radioactive material ThO 2 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 2 /C were found to be superior to those of Pt/C-NaBH 4 in electrochemical workstation and single-cell tests. It is speculated that the exist of ThO 2 not only improves the catalytic activity via the synergistic effect of Pt and Th, but also produces a large amount of radiolysis products, OH radicals, due to 232 Th which oxidatively desorbs CO from Pt-CO ads and solves the CO poisoning problem.