Oxidized carbon nanofibers supporting PtRu nanoparticles for direct methanol fuel cells

Preparation and characterization of a PtRu/C nanocatalyst for direct methanol fuel cells

PtRu/C nanocatalysts were prepared by changing the molar ratio of citric acid to platinum and ruthenium metal salts (CA:PtRu) from 1:1, 2:1, 3:1 to 4:1 using sodium borohydride as a reducing agent. Transmission electron microscopy analysis indicated that well-dispersed smaller PtRu particles (2.6 nm) were obtained when the molar ratio was maintained at 1:1. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed ...

Using Electrospinning-Based Carbon Nanofiber Webs for Methanol Crossover Control in Passive Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

Methanol crossover (MCO) significantly affects the performance of a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). In order to reduce its effect, this study presents in-house carbon nanofiber webs (CNWs) used as a porous methanol barrier for MCO control in a passive DMFC. The CNW is made from polyacrylonitrile (PAN) by using electrospinning and heat treatment. The impacts of PAN concentration and carbonizin...

Liquid methanol concentration sensors for direct methanol fuel cells

Liquid-fed direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) are one of the most promising candidates for portable power electronics and automotive pplications due to their potentially high-energy density, simple storage, and distribution of the fuel. The concentration of methanol in the fuel irculation loop of a DMFC system is an important operating parameter, because it determines the electrical performance...

Enhanced performance of a silicon microfabricated direct methanol fuel cell with PtRu catalysts supported on few-walled carbon nanotubes

Silicon micro fuel cells (Si-MFCs) are promising power supplies for microelectronic applications, however their development is still at early stages compared to the conventional proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). There are not many published reports on the durability of Si-MFCs and those available only projected the life-time of standard Vulcan based catalysts. However, the limited d...

Metamorphosis of the Mixed Phase PtRu Anode Catalyst for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells After Exposure of Methanol: In-situ and Ex-situ Characterizations