Novel O2-enhanced methanol oxidation performance at Pt-Ru-C sputtered anode in direct methanol fuel cell

We have developed a novel anode catalyst for the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). A Pt-Ru-C electrode was prepared by a co-sputtering technique and compared with Pt and Pt-Ru sputtered electrodes for the methanol electro-oxidation reaction. The prepared Pt-Ru-C electrode with a specific atomic ratio showed a remarkable O-2-enhanced methanol oxidation performance by O-2 addition to methanol as a fuel. For practical utilization, the relationship between the O-2-enhanced methanol oxidation activity and the thermal stability of the Pt-Ru-C sputtered electrode was evaluated using a post-annealing treatment. It is found that the O-2-enhanced methanol oxidation activity of the Pt-Ru-C electrodes is retained if the annealing temperature is less than or equal to 100 degrees C. Finally, the DMFC performance was assessed using a single DMFC cell incorporating a membrane electrode assembly with Pt-Ru-C which was hotpressed at 100 degrees C. The O-2-enhanced methanol oxidation was observed at a single DMFC cell also. Moreover, the enhanced reaction was recognized in DMFC power generation by feeding methanol and oxygen to the anode and oxygen to the cathode. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.