Self-pressurized H2 procudtion from the electrochemical reforming of ethanol at 150°C

The aqueous electrochemistry above 100°C is a relatively unexplored filed because requires dedicated electrochemical cells. Here we report one of the first examples of an electrochemical autoclave employed in the elecrtooxidation of ethanol at 150°C in alkaline media. These operating conditions make the alkaline solution in the autoclave very aggressive to catalysts including noble metals like Pt and Pd. For this reason we synthetized a highly active and stable ethanol oxidation catalyst (PdCoNifoam) composed of Pd nanoparticles supported on nanostructured Co oxide structures grown on nickel foam. Treatment with phosphorous vapors at high temperature yields a thin coating of phosphate that confers enhanced stability to the electrode in the hot KOH solution at pH 14 for ethanol electrooxidation. A combination of scanning electron microscopy (energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveal a 3D nano-flake surface with an external layer of phosphates that prevents Pd dissolution (figure 1). The PdCoP@Nifoam resulting catalyst was employed as anode in an ethanol electrochemical reforming cell at 150 °C with self-pressurization of the H2 produced by the electrochemical reaction; the H2 self-pressurization is safe since no O2 is evolved during EtOH reforming. tituto di chimica dei composti organometallici - Consiglio nazionale delle Ricerche