An investigation into the effect of anode platinum loading on Direct Methanol Fuel Cell performance

Abstract

Direct methanol fuel cells can utilize a liquid methanol fuel directly, without the need for prior reformation. This ability is highly advantageous when compared with other fuel cell technologies, which require pure hydrogen as a fuel source. An investigation was carried out to try and optimize the anode platinum loading using both Pt-NiTiO3 and Pt-Ru based electrocatalysts by determining a point of diminishing performance returns. The results showed continued performance improvement as anode platinum loading increased for the Pt-NiTiO3 catalyst, likely as a result of the methanol oxidation capabilities of NiTiO3. Whereas, for Pt-Ru based catalysts, an optimum point was found at 0.66 mgPt cm-2.