Preparation and characterization of electrocatalyst nanoparticles for direct methanol fuel cell applications using β-D-glucose as a protection agent

In this study, the activity, stability and performance of carbon supported platinum (Pt/C) electrocatalyst in cathode and carbon supported Pt and ruthenium (PtRu/C) electrocatalyst in the anode of a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) were studied. The Pt/C and PtRu/C electrocatalysts were prepared by the impregnation reduction method. The β-D-glucose was used as a protection agent to reduce particlesize and improve performance of the prepared electrocatalysts. The prepared electrocatalysts were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The results of XRD and TEM showed that the average particle size of metals in the prepared electrocatalysts is between 2-3 nm. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and chronoamperometry were used to investigate electrooxidation of methanol and electrocatalytic activity of the prepared electrocatalysts. The results showed that the PtRu/C electrocatalyst has better activity in methanol condition due to its smaller average particle size of nanoparticles, superior activity for methanol oxidation and its higher carbon monoxide (CO) tolerance. The single DMFC cell, consisting of protected electrocatalysts, exhibited a 28% increase in peak power density at room temperature, with the maximum peak power density of 22.13 mW cm-2.

Preparation and characterization of electrocatalyst nanoparticles for direct methanol fuel cell applications using β-D-glucose as a protection agent Keywords:

Electocatalyst , Impregnation reduction method , Protection agent , Direct methanol fuel cells