DMFCs with Enhanced Catalytic Activity and Durability using Transition-Metal Carbides as Catalyst Support

摘要

DMFC systems are attractive power sources for portable applications owing to the easy transportation, storage and refueling of methanol in conjunction with the reduced system weight, size, high-energy-efficiency and low-temperature operation (1). However, there are certain issues, namely poor catalytic-activity for anodic methanol oxidation, methanol cross-over from anode to cathode, that lower performance of DMFCs and remain to be resolved. At present, Pt-Ru/C is the most active catalyst for methanol electro-oxidation in DMFCs. But, from the electro-catalytic perspective, the long-term stability of Pt-Ru electro-catalyst is a serious problem as Ru from the Pt-Ru anode can cross through the proton exchange membrane and deposit on the Pt cathode affecting its performance (2).