Platinum based binary and ternary catalysts were prepared by thermal decomposition onto a titanium mesh and were evaluated for the anodic oxidation of methanol. The binary Pt:Ru catalyst with a composition of 1:1 gave the highest performance for methanol oxidation at 80°C⁠. The effect of temperature and time for thermal decomposition was optimized with respect to methanol oxidation, and the catalysts were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction studies, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The best catalyst was evaluated in a single fuel cell, and the effect of methanol concentration, temperature, and oxygen/air flow was studied. The mesh-based fuel cell, operating at 80°C with 1 mol dm3 methanol, gave maximum power densities of 38 mW cm−2 and 22 mW cm−2 with 1 bar (gauge) oxygen and air, respectively.

Issue Section:
Research Papers
Keywords:
anodisation, catalysts, direct methanol fuel cells, electrochemical electrodes, optimisation, platinum alloys, pyrolysis, ruthenium alloys, scanning electron microscopy, voltammetry (chemical analysis), X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectra, DMFC, Ti mesh, methanol oxidation, binary, ternary electrocatalyst, fuel cells
Topics:
Anodes, Catalysts, Direct methanol fuel cells, Electrodes, Fuel cells, Methanol, Oxidation, Temperature, Titanium, Platinum, Optimization, Polarization (Electricity), Polarization (Light), Polarization (Waves)
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