Direct Anodic Oxidation of Methanol on Supported Platinum/Ruthenium Catalyst in Aqueous Cesium Carbonate

Abstract

Methanol electro‐oxidation was carried out on porous gas diffusion electrodes in electrolytes at 100 to 140°C and ambient pressures. It was found that Pt‐Ru bimetallic catalysts supported on graphitized carbon provided enhanced performance, compared to supported Pt catalyst. Performance curves, based on unit catalyst mass, for Pt‐Ru at 120°C matched or exceeded previously reported performance data for supported Pt or Pt black in concentrated electrolytes at 120 to 150°C at 8 atm, and for supported Pt‐Ru in concentrated electrolytes at 200°C. It was found that the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) content in the reaction layer, and consequently the extent of wetting, had a marked effect on cell performance, and 20 to 30 weight percent PTFE was found to be optimal. Maximum cell performance was found at operating temperatures 10 to 15°C below the boiling pint of the electrolyte.