Skip to content
1887
  1. Home
  2. A-Z Publications
  3. Platinum Metals Review
  4. Volume 31, Issue 4
  5. Article
Volume 31, Issue 4
  • ISSN: 0032-1400
file format pdf download PDF

Abstract

Unlike other fuel cell types, the direct methanol fuel cell does not require a separate hydrogen generation system and therefore has greater commercial potential, particularly for powering portable appliances. However, the limiting factor for the cost-effective performance of such systems is the catalytic activity of the electrodes, in particular the anode. The single most active anode material is platinum, which is usually dispersed on a high surface area carbon support. It has been found that the addition of small amounts of metals such as lead, rhenium, ruthenium and tin to the platinum produces a significant increase in activity. The best of these bimetallic systems is based on a mixture of platinum and ruthenium. However, further worthwhile improvements in anode activity could result from a more fundamental understanding of the methanol decomposition reaction. In recognition of this, the Commission of the European Communities has initiated a research programme which involves collaboration between universities and industry in four member states. This article is based largely upon a paper given at the CEC–Italian Fuel Cell Workshop in Taormina, Sicily, in June 1987.

© Johnson Matthey
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1595/003214087X314173181
1987-01-01
2024-11-23
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

/deliver/fulltext/pmr/31/4/pmr0031-0173.html?itemId=/content/journals/10.1595/003214087X314173181&mimeType=html&fmt=ahah

References

  1. D. S. Cameron, Platinum Metals Rev., 1978, 22,(2), 38 [Google Scholar]
  2. K. Kordesch, A. Marko, Oesterr. Chem. Ztg., 1951, 52, 125 [Google Scholar]
  3. G. Ciprios, J. Batzold, M. Lieberman, “Advances in Energy Conversion Engineering”, A.S.M.E., 1967, 357–364 [Google Scholar]
  4. K. R. Williams, D. P. Gregory, J. Electrochem. Soc., 1963, 110, 209 [Google Scholar]
  5. R. W. Glazebrook, J. Power Sources, 1982, 7, 215 [Google Scholar]
  6. R. W. Glazebrook, Electr. Veh. Dev., 1982, 7, 18 [Google Scholar]
  7. N. A. Hampson, M. J. Willars, B. D. McNicol, J. Power Sources, 1979, 4,(3), 191 [Google Scholar]
  8. P. A. Attwood, A. G. Dixon, A. C. Houston, R. T. Short, J. Chem. Tech. Biotechnol., 1984, 34A,(1), 10 [Google Scholar]
  9. B. D. McNicol, 1979, 79, 93
  10. K. J. Cathro, C. H. Weeks, Energy Convers., 1971, 11, 143 [Google Scholar]
  11. W. Vielstich, Brighton, England, 1964, Pergamon, p. 271
  12. S. S. Kurpit, 1975, 222
  13. J. Perry, 1974, 26, 171
  14. J. E. Wynn, 1970, 24, 198
  15. C. Sylwan, Energy Convers., 1977, 17,(2/3), 67 [Google Scholar]
  16. C. L. Sylwan, Energy Convers. Manage., 1980, 20,(1), 1 [Google Scholar]
  17. K. Tamura, New Mater. New Processes, 1983, 2, 317 [Google Scholar]
  18. J. Yamaguchi, Automot. Eng., 1983, 91,(4), 65 [Google Scholar]
  19. B. D. McNicol, “Studies in Electrical and Electronic Engineering 11—Power Sources for Electric Vehicles”, Ch. 8, ed. B. D. McNicol, D. A. J. Rand, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1984 [Google Scholar]
  20. M. W. Breiter, “Electrochemical Processes in Fuel Cells”, Springer Verlag, Berlin, 1969 [Google Scholar]
  21. B. Beden, C. Lamy, A. Bewick, K. Kunimatsu, J. Electroanal. Chem., 1981, 121, 343 [Google Scholar]
  22. K. Kunimatsu, J. Electron Spectrosc. Relat. Phenom., 1983, 30, 215 [Google Scholar]
  23. A. Wieckowski, J. Sobrowski, A. Jablonska, J. Electroanal. Chem., 1974, 55,38 3 [Google Scholar]
  24. T. Biegler, D. F. A. Koch, J. Electrochem. Soc., 1967, 114, 904 [Google Scholar]
  25. B. Beden, F. Kadirgan, C. Lamy, J. M. Leger, J. Electroanal. Chem., 1981, 127,(1–3), 7 5 [Google Scholar]
  26. K. J. Cathro, J. Electrochem. Soc., 1969, 116, 1608 [Google Scholar]
  27. J. T. Glass, G. L. Cahen, G. E. Stoner, E. J. Taylor, J. Electrochem. Soc., 1987, 134,(1), 58 [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/10.1595/003214087X314173181
Loading
Direct Methanol Fuel Cells
Platinum Metals Review 31, 173 (1987); https://doi.org/10.1595/003214087X314173181
/content/journals/10.1595/003214087X314173181
/content/journals/10.1595/003214087X314173181
Loading

Data & Media loading...

  • Article Type: Research Article

Most Cited Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error
Please enter a valid_number test