In situ Fourier transform infrared-diffuse reflection spectroscopy of direct methanol fuel cell anodes and cathodes
- Illinois Inst. of Tech., Chicago, IL (United States). Dept. of Chemical and Environmental Engineering
In situ Fourier transform infrared-diffuse reflection spectroscopy (FTIR-DRS) was used to study both the adsorbed and desorbed species produced on high surface area anodes and cathodes of direct methanol/oxygen fuel cells. The authors investigated platinum-ruthenium and platinum black as anodes. The cathodes studied were platinum black. The primary product detected on both Pt-black and Pt-Ru anodes at low methanol/water vapor ratios (P{sub methanol}: 15.2 kPa) was CO{sub 2}. Consistent with previous work, CO adsorption is more prevalent on Pt-black than on Pt-RU. In addition to CO and CO{sub 2}, vibrational modes due to formic acid, methylformate, and formaldehyde are detected by FTIR-DRS under potentiostatic control. At higher methanol/water vapor ratios (P{sub methanol}: 38.0 kPa) and low potentials (0.10 to 0.50 V), formaldehyde is the only product at the Pt-Ru anode. Methylformate and formic acid vibrational modes appear at potentials from 0.60 to 0.80 V. CO{sub 2} and methanol are observed at open circuit on the cathode side as a result of methanol permeation from the anode to the cathode region. CO{sub 2} increases in the cathode region with increasing anode potential.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 404651
- Journal Information:
- Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Journal Name: Journal of the Electrochemical Society Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 143; ISSN 0013-4651; ISSN JESOAN
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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