Analysis of the electrochemical characteristics of a direct methanol fuel cell based on a Pt-Ru/C anode catalyst
- CNR Inst. for Transformation and Storage of Energy, Messina (Italy)
- Seoul National Univ. (Korea, Republic of). Dept. of Chemistry
A vapor-feed direct methanol fuel cell based on a Nafion 117{reg_sign} solid polymer electrolyte was investigated. Pt-Ru/C and Pt/C catalysts were employed for methanol oxidation and oxygen reduction, respectively. The structure, surface, and morphology of the catalysts were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Crystalline face-centered cubic phases were found in the Pt and Pt-Ru catalysts. The alloy composition in the Pt-Ru/C catalyst was different from the nominal composition, probably due to the formation of surface RuO{sub x} species, as indicated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Transmission electron microscopy observation showed an increase of the average particle size and particle agglomeration in the Pt-Ru/C catalyst compared to the Pt/C catalyst. The membrane/electrode assembly was prepared by using a paste process method. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analyses showed good adhesion of catalyst layers to the membrane and a homogeneous distribution of the ionomer inside the catalyst. AC-impedance and galvanostatic steady-state polarization techniques were used to investigate the electrochemical performance of the direct methanol fuel cell.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 474627
- Journal Information:
- Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Vol. 143, Issue 12; Other Information: PBD: Dec 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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