Current ethanol oxidation catalysts in direct ethanol fuel cells (typically platinum-based) suffer from low conversion and are susceptible to CO poisoning. Therefore we determined to find viable alternative catalysts for ethanol oxidation based on iridium using density functional theory to model bimetallic alloy (111) surfaces. Iridium was alloyed with another transition metals M in an overlayer (one layer of metal M on top of bulk iridium) or subsurface configuration (M is inserted under the first layer of iridium). Complete oxidation of ethanol is limited by the breaking of strong C-C bonds, so any catalyst must lower the barriers for C-C bond breaking. We modeled the reaction CH+CO →CHCO.Segregation energies were calculated and the subsurface configuration was the most stable configuration in the vast majority of alloy cases. CO adsorption was also studied and a lower CO adsorption energy was found in many alloy cases compared to pure Pt (, providing encouraging results about the possibility of reducing CO poisoning. Activation energies were lowered for the vast majority of the alloys used in an underlayer structure, reinforcing our interest in the underlayer structures or “subsurfaceâ€� alloys. Finally, we found, based on the CO adsorption energies, activation energies of the C-C breakage reaction, and metal cost, three important catalyst descriptors, a number of promising catalysts for the ethanol oxidation reaction. The most interesting alloys all adopted the underlayer structure Ir/M/Ir. With M = Ta, Hf, Nb, V, Zr, they demonstrated enhanced reactivity and high CO tolerance, having the advantage of reducing the cost of the catalyst, potentially substituting expensive platinum group metals by more affordable components.

Neste trabalho foi desenvolvido um método de preparação de eletrocatalisadores de Platina e Estanho suportados em carbono para a oxidação de etanol. Este método utiliza a decomposição térmica de precursores poliméricos, conhecido como método Pechini, para a produção de pós com tamanho de partículas da ordem de nanômetros. Foram preparados diversos catalisadores variando-se a proporção entre platina e estanho, e a proporção entre metal e carbono. Os eletrocatalisadores foram caracterizados por técnicas de Espectroscopia de Energia Dispersiva de raios X (EDX), Difração de raios X (DRX) e Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão (MET). Os resultados mostram que o método utilizado produziu catalisadores com composição nominal próxima da composição real, que os tamanhos de cristalitos estão na ordem de 5 nm e os tamanhos de partículas apresentados estão na ordem de 5 nm. As atividades eletrocatalíticas dos catalisadores foram investigadas utilizando-se técnicas eletroquímicas convencionais (voltametria cíclica e cronoamperometria) assim como através de testes em célula a combustível a etanol direto. Após os testes de cronoamperometria foram analisadas as concentrações de etanol e dos produtos formados através de Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência (CLAE). Os voltamogramas cíclicos na presença de etanol apresentaram correntes de oxidação de etanol próximos de 0,2 V vs. ERH e os resultados de cronoamperometria mostraram que há grandes diferenças de desempenho entres os eletrocatalisadores. Os resultados de eletrólise mostraram que o produto principal é o acetaldeido, e que a quebra da ligação C-C do etanol ocorreu em pequenas proporções. O melhor desempenho nos testes de célula a combustível foi encontrado utilizando-se PtSnO2/C com uma proporção de estanho de 10 % /platina 90 % (mol) e com uma porcentagem de 30 % (massa) de metal em relação ao carbono. A densidade de potência obtida neste caso foi de aproximadamente 72 mW cm-2. / In this work, a method for the preparation of eletrocatalysts containing platinum and tin supported on carbon was developed aiming at the ethanol oxidation. This method uses the thermal decomposition of polymeric precursors, known as the Pechini method, for the production of powders with particle size lying in the range of nanometers. Several catalysts were prepared by varying the platinum and tin ratio, as well as the metal and carbon proportion. The eletrocatalysts were characterized by Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (DRX) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Our results showed that the method employed in the study produced catalysts with compositions close to the nominal one, with particle size in the order of 5 nm. The electrocatalytic activities of the catalysts were investigated by conventional electrochemistry techniques (cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry) and by tests in direct ethanol fuel cells. After the chronoamperometric tests, the ethanol and the products were analyzed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Results obtained by cyclic voltammetry in the presence of ethanol showed that currents of ethanol oxidation at approximately 0.2 V vs. RHE were achieved and the chronoamperometry results gave evidence of large differences in the electroactivity of the eletrocatalysts. The electrolysis results showed that the main product was acetaldehyde, and that the break of the C-C bond of the ethanol occured in small proportions. The best result in the cell tests was found by using the catalyst PtSnO2/C with a tin / platinum molar ratio of 1:9 and 30% (mass) metal loading in relation to carbon. The power density obtained in this case was approximately 72 mW cm-2.

Neste trabalho foi desenvolvido um método de preparação de eletrocatalisadores de Platina e Estanho suportados em carbono para a oxidação de etanol. Este método utiliza a decomposição térmica de precursores poliméricos, conhecido como método Pechini, para a produção de pós com tamanho de partículas da ordem de nanômetros. Foram preparados diversos catalisadores variando-se a proporção entre platina e estanho, e a proporção entre metal e carbono. Os eletrocatalisadores foram caracterizados por técnicas de Espectroscopia de Energia Dispersiva de raios X (EDX), Difração de raios X (DRX) e Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão (MET). Os resultados mostram que o método utilizado produziu catalisadores com composição nominal próxima da composição real, que os tamanhos de cristalitos estão na ordem de 5 nm e os tamanhos de partículas apresentados estão na ordem de 5 nm. As atividades eletrocatalíticas dos catalisadores foram investigadas utilizando-se técnicas eletroquímicas convencionais (voltametria cíclica e cronoamperometria) assim como através de testes em célula a combustível a etanol direto. Após os testes de cronoamperometria foram analisadas as concentrações de etanol e dos produtos formados através de Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência (CLAE). Os voltamogramas cíclicos na presença de etanol apresentaram correntes de oxidação de etanol próximos de 0,2 V vs. ERH e os resultados de cronoamperometria mostraram que há grandes diferenças de desempenho entres os eletrocatalisadores. Os resultados de eletrólise mostraram que o produto principal é o acetaldeido, e que a quebra da ligação C-C do etanol ocorreu em pequenas proporções. O melhor desempenho nos testes de célula a combustível foi encontrado utilizando-se PtSnO2/C com uma proporção de estanho de 10 % /platina 90 % (mol) e com uma porcentagem de 30 % (massa) de metal em relação ao carbono. A densidade de potência obtida neste caso foi de aproximadamente 72 mW cm-2. / In this work, a method for the preparation of eletrocatalysts containing platinum and tin supported on carbon was developed aiming at the ethanol oxidation. This method uses the thermal decomposition of polymeric precursors, known as the Pechini method, for the production of powders with particle size lying in the range of nanometers. Several catalysts were prepared by varying the platinum and tin ratio, as well as the metal and carbon proportion. The eletrocatalysts were characterized by Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (DRX) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Our results showed that the method employed in the study produced catalysts with compositions close to the nominal one, with particle size in the order of 5 nm. The electrocatalytic activities of the catalysts were investigated by conventional electrochemistry techniques (cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry) and by tests in direct ethanol fuel cells. After the chronoamperometric tests, the ethanol and the products were analyzed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Results obtained by cyclic voltammetry in the presence of ethanol showed that currents of ethanol oxidation at approximately 0.2 V vs. RHE were achieved and the chronoamperometry results gave evidence of large differences in the electroactivity of the eletrocatalysts. The electrolysis results showed that the main product was acetaldehyde, and that the break of the C-C bond of the ethanol occured in small proportions. The best result in the cell tests was found by using the catalyst PtSnO2/C with a tin / platinum molar ratio of 1:9 and 30% (mass) metal loading in relation to carbon. The power density obtained in this case was approximately 72 mW cm-2.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering / Medhat M. Morcos / Characterized by variable impedances, DC power sources normal operation, reliability, and life-time is negatively affected by the sequential switching within any DC power system. The impedances of Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd) storage batteries and Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells (DEFC) vary nonlinearly; therefore, existing DC power system models, that employ averaging of the sequential switching process, are inaccurate in describing the system output voltage. In this research, Fourier-series models of DC–DC converters are developed and evaluated, through numerical computations and computer simulations. Both NiCd-DC converter and DEFC-DC converter power systems are experimentally evaluated over a selected switching frequency range. Input voltage and output voltage characteristics of two types of DEFC-DC converter systems (Nickel-mesh and Nickel-foam electrode assembly) are determined. Experimental results are compared to computer simulations, thus validating the Fourier-series models. Experimental results show a correlation between the DC converter switching frequency and the output of the DC power system. Sequential switching operation, along with the type of DC converter employed, are factors determining the maximum power transfer of the system. The models developed in this work are flexible over a large switching frequency range, and for any desired duty cycle. Correction factors, accounting for the source-converter impedance matching, are easily implemented in Fourier-series models. The research demonstrates the advantages of Fourier-series models, as compared to both large-signal and small-signal models, with regard to accuracy and ease of implementation to any DC–DC converter-driven power system.

The lack of catalytic efficiency towards the complete ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) has hindered the development of direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs). Ir-based catalysts have recently been shown promise in the complete EOR. However, the reaction mechanism of the complete EOR remains unclear, which impedes the development of better Ir-based catalysts. Herein, we performed extensive density functional theory (DFT) calculations to develop a comprehensive reaction network of EOR on Ir(100). The EOR process consists of four dehydrogenation steps of ethanol leading to the generation of CH2CO species followed by two competitive reaction pathways, i.e., a C-O bond cleavage to poisoning species (e.g., CHC) and the surface diffusion of CH2CO leading to CO2. Furthermore, our studies show that for all CHxCOy (x = 1, 2, or 3 and y = 0 or 1) species, only when the C and O atoms (or two C atoms) bind to two different surface Ir atoms can the C-C/C-O bond cleavage occur. This work highlights the essential roles of adsorption structure and diffusion of CH2CO for the complete EOR and serves as a benchmark for the future investigation of the electronic and solvent effects.Pt-Ir-based alloy electrocatalysts have shown encouraging catalytic performance on the EOR in direct ethanol fuel cells. Nevertheless, designing a suitably qualified EOR electrocatalyst remains challenging because of several convoluted factors (e.g., C1 species poisoning, acetate acid formation, and C-C bond splitting). To understand the relationship between the EOR performance and the type of catalysts, we model three kinds of (100)-exposed Pt-Ir layered catalysts and perform density functional theory (DFT) calculations to explore 58 elementary reactions of the EOR over three catalyst surfaces. According to the calculated activation energies and reaction energies, we mapped out the reaction mechanisms for EOR on different catalysts, indicating corresponding rate-limiting steps (RLSs) of the complete EOR. We demonstrated that the C-O coupling/decoupling ability of the catalyst surface plays a leading role in the overall EOR performance because a perfect complete EOR not only has to avoid some C-O coupling reactions (e.g., CH¬3CO+OH→CH3COOH) but also needs to promote some C-O coupling reactions (e.g., CO+O→CO2). We further illustrated that Pt and Ir exhibit excellent C-O coupling and decoupling abilities, respectively, implying that modifying the compositions and structures of Pt-Ir catalysts is a promising way to achieve the complete EOR. Furthermore, the Ir@Pt(100) surface (Ir monolayer over Pt(100) surface) with a Pt-doped active site possesses the most significant potential on EOR, which could impede the acetate acid formation and facilitate the CO2 formation simultaneously. This work highlights the role of tuning the C-O coupling/decoupling ability of electrocatalyst in EOR activity, providing a new strategy for designing and selecting the EOR electrocatalyst. The solvent effect has always been a non-negligible factor for aqueous reactions. In computational chemistry, researchers have been looking for a compromise between computational efficiency and the rationality of solvent models to mimic the solvent environment. In this work, I investigated the ethanol dehydrogenation and C-C bond cleavages of EOR over Ir(100)using both implicit and explicit solvation models. The implicit model exhibited little impact on the adsorbates without the hydroxyl group, whereas the explicit model can reasonably describe the system’s hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interaction. This solvent effect study showed how different solvent models affected the elementary reactions geometrically and energetically.

No presente trabalho, o desempenho elétrico dos eletrocatalisadores anódicos Pt/C, Pt3Sn/C(liga), Pt(SnO2)/C, Pt3(SnO2)/C e Pt9(SnO2)/C para as reações de eletro-oxidação de etanol, acetaldeído e ácido acético foi investigado. Testes em célula unitária mostraram que a adição de Sn seja na forma de liga Pt-Sn ou na forma de óxido (SnO2) coexistente com a platina metálica aumenta consideravelmente a resposta elétrica gerada pela célula. A melhora no desempenho elétrico dos catalisadores a base de PtSn é resultado da capacidade em oxidar o acetaldeído, majoritariamente produzido pelo Pt/C, em ácido acético. Pt3(SnO2)/C exibiu a melhor resposta elétrica tanto para o etanol quanto para acetaldeído como combustíveis, alcançando valores de densidade de potência máxima de 127 e 58 mW cm-2, respectivamente. Misturas entre os combustíveis mostraram que o acetaldeído é um composto que leva a uma rápida desativação dos catalisadores, enquanto que o ácido acético, embora não seja oxidado a CO2 nas condições de operação, não afeta o desempenho elétrico da célula. / In the present work, the electrical performance of the anodic electrocatalysts Pt/C, Pt3Sn/C(alloy), Pt(SnO2)/C, Pt3(SnO2)/C and Pt9(SnO2)/C towards ethanol, acetaldehyde and acetic acid electro-oxidation reactions was investigated. Single cell tests showed that the Sn addiction whether in Pt-Sn alloyed form or in oxide (SnO2) form coexisting with metallic platinum increases considerably the electrical response generated by the cell. The electrical performance improvement of PtSn-basis catalysts is a result of the ability to oxidize acetaldehyde, mostly produced by Pt/C, in acetic acid. Pt3(SnO2)/C exhibited the highest electrical performance both for ethanol and acetaldehyde as fuels, reaching maximum power density values of 127 and 58 mW cm-2, respectively. Mixtures between fuels showed that acetaldehyde is a compound which leads a rapid deactivation of the catalysts, while acetic acid, although not oxidized to CO2 under operating conditions, does not affect the cell electrical performance.

No presente trabalho, o desempenho elétrico dos eletrocatalisadores anódicos Pt/C, Pt3Sn/C(liga), Pt(SnO2)/C, Pt3(SnO2)/C e Pt9(SnO2)/C para as reações de eletro-oxidação de etanol, acetaldeído e ácido acético foi investigado. Testes em célula unitária mostraram que a adição de Sn seja na forma de liga Pt-Sn ou na forma de óxido (SnO2) coexistente com a platina metálica aumenta consideravelmente a resposta elétrica gerada pela célula. A melhora no desempenho elétrico dos catalisadores a base de PtSn é resultado da capacidade em oxidar o acetaldeído, majoritariamente produzido pelo Pt/C, em ácido acético. Pt3(SnO2)/C exibiu a melhor resposta elétrica tanto para o etanol quanto para acetaldeído como combustíveis, alcançando valores de densidade de potência máxima de 127 e 58 mW cm-2, respectivamente. Misturas entre os combustíveis mostraram que o acetaldeído é um composto que leva a uma rápida desativação dos catalisadores, enquanto que o ácido acético, embora não seja oxidado a CO2 nas condições de operação, não afeta o desempenho elétrico da célula. / In the present work, the electrical performance of the anodic electrocatalysts Pt/C, Pt3Sn/C(alloy), Pt(SnO2)/C, Pt3(SnO2)/C and Pt9(SnO2)/C towards ethanol, acetaldehyde and acetic acid electro-oxidation reactions was investigated. Single cell tests showed that the Sn addiction whether in Pt-Sn alloyed form or in oxide (SnO2) form coexisting with metallic platinum increases considerably the electrical response generated by the cell. The electrical performance improvement of PtSn-basis catalysts is a result of the ability to oxidize acetaldehyde, mostly produced by Pt/C, in acetic acid. Pt3(SnO2)/C exhibited the highest electrical performance both for ethanol and acetaldehyde as fuels, reaching maximum power density values of 127 and 58 mW cm-2, respectively. Mixtures between fuels showed that acetaldehyde is a compound which leads a rapid deactivation of the catalysts, while acetic acid, although not oxidized to CO2 under operating conditions, does not affect the cell electrical performance.

Submitted by Livia Mello (liviacmello@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-09-12T19:51:02Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DissLKKM.pdf: 7338947 bytes, checksum: 70c85b6c9b1fe86fc7445b6006cfd2a9 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-15T13:25:24Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissLKKM.pdf: 7338947 bytes, checksum: 70c85b6c9b1fe86fc7445b6006cfd2a9 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-15T13:25:29Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissLKKM.pdf: 7338947 bytes, checksum: 70c85b6c9b1fe86fc7445b6006cfd2a9 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-15T13:25:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissLKKM.pdf: 7338947 bytes, checksum: 70c85b6c9b1fe86fc7445b6006cfd2a9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-03-04 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Two mathematical models of a Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell (DEFC) considering both an ideal (complete ethanol oxidation) and a realistic behavior (partial oxidation with by-products) were implemented in 3D geometries, adapted from SOUSA et al. (2008), using ANSYS CFX. The ideal model considers the cleavage of the C-C bond in the ethanol molecule, leading to a complete oxidation with CO2 and water as products, whereas the realistic model leads to partially oxidized products (acetic acid and acetaldehyde) through a dissociative adsorption mechanism on the catalyst surface. Kinetic parameters of the realistic model were readjusted from the original work (SOUSA et al., 2008) by experimental data fitting in order to calculate surface coverages of the adsorbed species. Model assumptions are: laminar flow, steady-state, isothermal, homogeneous and isotropic porous materials. Analysis of velocity, pressure and concentration profiles were performed in five different anode flow designs: serpentine, double serpentine, parallel, interdigitated and spot. Results have shown that, within the anode flow designs evaluated, the DEFC containing the interdigitated design presented a better performance, measured by the current density vs. cell potential curve. Cell performance was evaluated between anode overpotentials of 0 to 0,5 V. Different inlet velocities were tested to assess how the solution permeates through the porous layers. A qualitative analysis was also performed with a non-isothermal ideal DEFC model to investigate how each anode flow design contributes to heat removal in the fuel cell. Results showed that heat was better removed in the double serpentine and serpentine anode flow designs. / Dois modelos matemáticos de células a combustível de etanol direto (DEFCs), considerando tanto o comportamento ideal (oxidação completa do etanol) quanto o realístico (oxidação parcial, com formação de subprodutos) foram implementados em geometrias 3D, adaptados de SOUSA et al. (2008), utilizando o software ANSYS CFX. O modelo realístico leva em consideração a oxidação parcial devido à dificuldade na quebra da ligação C-C do etanol em catalisadores mistos de Pt, levando à formação de acetaldeído e ácido acético como subprodutos através de um mecanismo de adsorção dissociativa na superfície catalítica. Alguns dos parâmetros foram reajustados dos seus valores originais ao ser empregada uma maior precisão numérica no método de solução do sistema de equações das frações de cobertura. Foram adotadas as hipóteses de escoamento laminar, estado estacionário, condições isotérmicas e materiais porosos isotrópicos e homogêneos. Através da análise de perfis de velocidade, pressão e concentração na célula, foram investigadas diferentes geometrias dos canais de escoamento: serpentina, dupla serpentina, paralelo, interdigitado e grade. Resultados mostraram que, dentre as geometrias avaliadas, a célula contendo a geometria interdigitada apresentou melhor desempenho nos dois modelos empregados. O desempenho foi determinado pelos valores de densidade de corrente obtidos entre 0 e 0,5 V do sobrepotencial anódico. Adicionalmente, foram realizadas avaliação qualitativa da distribuição de temperatura através do modelo ideal e testes com diferentes velocidades de entrada. Resultados apontaram remoção de calor mais eficiente nas geometrias dupla-serpentina e serpentina.

Os eletrocatalisadores PtSn / C-ATO com Pt e Sn com diferentes relações atômicas (90:10, 70:30 e 50:50) foram preparados em uma única etapa pelo processo de redução por álcool usando H2PtCl6.6H2O e SnCl2.2H2O como fontes de metais e etileno glicol como solvente e agente redutor e de uma mistura física de carbono Vulcan XC72 (85% em peso) e ATO(Sb2O5.SnO2) (15% em peso) como o suporte (C-ATO). Os materiais obtidos foram caracterizados por difração de raios X (DRX) e microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET). A atividade catalítica para oxidação eletroquímica do etanol em meio ácido foi investigada por voltametria cíclica e cronoamperometria em células unitárias de combustível de etanol direto (DEFC). As análises de DRX revelou que Pt (FCC), SnO2, carbono e fases ATO coexistem nos materiais obtidos. Os estudos eletroquímicos mostraram que os eletrocatalisadores PtSn / C-ATO são mais ativos para oxidação eletroquímica do etanol em comparação ao eletrocatalisador de PtSn / C . As experiências a 100 ° C em células a combustível unitárias (DEFC) mostrou que a densidade de potencia da célula usando PtSn / C-ATO (90:10) foi de aproximadamente 100% mais elevado do que o obtido utilizando PtSn / C (50:50). Os experimentos de infra vermelho FTIR in-situ indicaram que a adição de ATO no suporte para eletrocatalisadores PtSn / C favorece a formação do ácido acético como produto, enquanto para PtSn / C o acetaldeído foi o principal produto formado. / PtSn/C-ATO electrocatalysts with different Pt:Sn atomic ratios (90:10, 70:30 and 50:50) were prepared in a single step by an alcohol-reduction process using H2PtCl6.6H2O and SnCl2.2H2O as metal sources and ethylene glycol as solvent and reducing agent and a physical mixture of carbon Vulcan XC72 (85 wt%) and Sb2O5.SnO2 (15 wt%) as support (C-ATO). The obtained materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The catalytic activity for ethanol electro-oxidation in acid medium was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and chroamperometry and in single direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC). XRD analyses showed that Pt(FCC), SnO2, carbon and ATO phases coexist in the obtained materials. The electrochemical studies showed that PtSn/C-ATO electrocatalysts were more active for ethanol electro-oxidation than PtSn/C electrocatalyst. The experiments at 100oC on a single DEFC showed that the power density of the cell using PtSn/C-ATO (90:10) was nearly 100% higher than the one obtained using PtSn/C (50:50). FTIR measurements showed that the addition of ATO to PtSn/C favors the formation of acetic acid as a product while for PtSn/C acetaldehyde was the principal product formed.

Os eletrocatalisadores PtSn / C-ATO com Pt e Sn com diferentes relações atômicas (90:10, 70:30 e 50:50) foram preparados em uma única etapa pelo processo de redução por álcool usando H2PtCl6.6H2O e SnCl2.2H2O como fontes de metais e etileno glicol como solvente e agente redutor e de uma mistura física de carbono Vulcan XC72 (85% em peso) e ATO(Sb2O5.SnO2) (15% em peso) como o suporte (C-ATO). Os materiais obtidos foram caracterizados por difração de raios X (DRX) e microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET). A atividade catalítica para oxidação eletroquímica do etanol em meio ácido foi investigada por voltametria cíclica e cronoamperometria em células unitárias de combustível de etanol direto (DEFC). As análises de DRX revelou que Pt (FCC), SnO2, carbono e fases ATO coexistem nos materiais obtidos. Os estudos eletroquímicos mostraram que os eletrocatalisadores PtSn / C-ATO são mais ativos para oxidação eletroquímica do etanol em comparação ao eletrocatalisador de PtSn / C . As experiências a 100 ° C em células a combustível unitárias (DEFC) mostrou que a densidade de potencia da célula usando PtSn / C-ATO (90:10) foi de aproximadamente 100% mais elevado do que o obtido utilizando PtSn / C (50:50). Os experimentos de infra vermelho FTIR in-situ indicaram que a adição de ATO no suporte para eletrocatalisadores PtSn / C favorece a formação do ácido acético como produto, enquanto para PtSn / C o acetaldeído foi o principal produto formado. / PtSn/C-ATO electrocatalysts with different Pt:Sn atomic ratios (90:10, 70:30 and 50:50) were prepared in a single step by an alcohol-reduction process using H2PtCl6.6H2O and SnCl2.2H2O as metal sources and ethylene glycol as solvent and reducing agent and a physical mixture of carbon Vulcan XC72 (85 wt%) and Sb2O5.SnO2 (15 wt%) as support (C-ATO). The obtained materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The catalytic activity for ethanol electro-oxidation in acid medium was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and chroamperometry and in single direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC). XRD analyses showed that Pt(FCC), SnO2, carbon and ATO phases coexist in the obtained materials. The electrochemical studies showed that PtSn/C-ATO electrocatalysts were more active for ethanol electro-oxidation than PtSn/C electrocatalyst. The experiments at 100oC on a single DEFC showed that the power density of the cell using PtSn/C-ATO (90:10) was nearly 100% higher than the one obtained using PtSn/C (50:50). FTIR measurements showed that the addition of ATO to PtSn/C favors the formation of acetic acid as a product while for PtSn/C acetaldehyde was the principal product formed.