Operating characteristics of direct methanol fuel cell using a platinum-ruthenium catalyst supported on porous carbon prepared from mesophase pitch

The characteristics of a platinum-ruthenium catalyst supported on porous carbon (PC) are analysed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry and chemisorption techniques. Single-cell tests are carried out in order to compare the performance of these catalysts as an anode in a direct methanol fuel cell with respect to that of a commercial-grade catalyst. The methanol oxidation rate on a Pt-Ru catalyst supported on PC with a pore size of 20 nm is about 35% higher than that on a commercial E-TEK catalyst. The catalyst (Pt-Ru/K20) in the single-cell test gives a power density of 90 and 126 mW cm(-2) under air and oxygen at 60 degrees C, respectively. These values are 15-16% higher than those obtained with a commercial E-TEK catalyst. (C) 2007 Published by Elsevier B.V.