2D Semiconductor Bi2WO6Nanosheets as the Pt Carriers for Ethylene Glycol Oxidation Reaction with Photoelectric Interaction

Ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EGOR) is a key anode reaction in direct ethylene glycol fuel cells (DEGFCs). Herein, 2D semiconductor bismuth tungstate (Bi2WO6) nanosheets are facilely prepared and used as carriers for the deposition of platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs). The resultant material is used as the working electrode in the application of DEGFCs. Due to the excellent absorption property of Bi2WO6in visible light, the optimized Pt‐Bi2WO6electrode (Pt at 20 wt%) shows improved catalytic activity and stability with visible‐light illumination. The current density using the Pt‐Bi2WO6electrode reaches 492.5 mA mg−1Ptwith visible‐light irradiation, which is about 4.2 fold higher in comparison with the same electrode in dark conditions. This 2D sheet‐like support, together with the visible‐light response of Bi2WO6, induces the deposition of ultra‐small sizes of Pt (5.4 nm) and the synergistic effect of electrocatalytic and photocatalytic ethylene glycol oxidation, thus greatly improving the photoelectric catalytic property of EGOR. A synergistic effect of the electrocatalytic and photocatalytic reaction is found using 2D Bi2WO6as the Pt carriers for improving ethylene glycol oxidation.