Adsorption and decomposition of Ru{sub 3}(CO){sub 9}(CH{sub 3}CN){sub 3} at platinum surfaces: An X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy study
- Univ. of Puerto Rico, San Juan (Puerto Rico). Dept. of Chemistry
The direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is an attractive power source for mobile applications due to the high-energy density of methanol, the portability and ease of distribution of liquid rather than gaseous fuel, and elimination of the need for a bulky, power-consuming fuel reformer. There are several factors limiting the power output of polymer electrolyte DMFCs. One of the major factors is the slow kinetics of the methanol electrooxidation reaction on the conventional platinum catalyst material. A CH{sub 3}CN-modified triruthenium carbonyl cluster, Ru{sub 3}(CO){sub 9}(CH{sub 3}CN){sub 3}(I), has been adsorbed on platinum and platinum oxide surfaces from dichloromethane solutions. The modified surface has been characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and polarized grazing angle Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) microscopy. The proposed mechanism for the adsorption of I involves the chemisorption of the metal cluster at the platinum surface by losing the acetonitrile ligand. The original cluster, Ru{sub 3}(CO){sub 12}, could not be adsorbed under the same experimental conditions used for cluster I. The cluster-modified surface was treated with hydrogen for the reduction of the cluster to its metallic state on the Pt surface. This was done at different temperatures. The XPS results show the formation of a complex Ru-RuO{sub 2}-RuO{sub 3}/Pt surface.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States); National Science Foundation, Washington, DC (United States); Department of Defense, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG02-91ER75674
- OSTI ID:
- 680001
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-980314-; ISSN 0743-7463; TRN: IM9941%%42
- Journal Information:
- Langmuir, Vol. 15, Issue 3; Conference: American Chemical Society (ACS) meeting, Dallas, TX (United States), 26 Mar - 2 Apr 1998; Other Information: PBD: 2 Feb 1999
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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