Methanol Oxidation Activity of PdRu Alloy Nanoparticles in Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

摘要

A carbon-supported PdRu (1:1) alloy was prepared by reduction of a supported mixed metal oxide precursor. The alloy phase was found to segregate on heating to Ru-rich and pure Pd phases. The single-phase alloy was evaluated for methanol oxidation in a membrane electrode assembly half-cell configuration, along with pure Pd, Ru, and benchmark PtRu catalysts. The mass activity of the PdRu was found to be at least an order of magnitude less than the PtRu catalyst. The cycle stability of the PdRu was assessed and found to be superior to pure Pd.