Direct conversion of inorganic complexes to platinum/thin oxide nanoparticles decorated on MOF-derived chromium oxide/nanoporous carbon composite as an efficient electrocatalyst for ethanol oxidation reaction

[Display omitted] In this work, we present the design and fabrication of a novel nanocomposite based on noble metal and metal oxide nanoparticles dispersed on highly porous carbon obtained via the pyrolysis of an inorganic complex and metal-organic frameworks. This nanocomposite is prepared by a two-step procedure: first, the composite support of nanoporous carbon (NPC) is obtained by the direct carbonization of the Cr-benzene dicarboxylic ligand (BDC) MOF in an Argon atmosphere at 500 °C (Cr2O3-NPC). A mixture containing Cr2O3-NPC and [PtCl(SnCl3)(SMe2)2] is then prepared, and underflow of Argon is heated to 380 °C. Finally, Pt-SnO2 nanoparticles are loaded on the Cr2O3-NPC support, and the obtained nanocomposite was denoted as Pt-SnO2/Cr2O3-NPC. The morphology and crystalline structure of the prepared nanocomposites were characterized using XRD, SEM, EDX, FT-IR, and XPS. In addition, the prepared nanocomposite was examined as a novel electrocatalyst for the ethanol electro-oxidation reaction (EOR). The obtained results demonstrated that, compared with Pt/Cr2O3-NPC, Pt-SnO2/Cr2O3-NPC showed higher electrocatalytic activity, lower onset potential, and a higher level of poisoning tolerance toward of ethanol oxidation in acidic media. The overall results corroborate the predominant role of SnO2 as an excellent catalytic-enhancing agent thorough facilitating the charge transfer process and increasing the CO poisoning oxidation by the spillover of OHads to the Pt surface. Thus, the prepared Pt-SnO2/Cr2O3-NPC catalyst could be considered a promising anode catalyst for direct ethanol fuel cells.