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Feasibility of using PtFe alloys as cathodes in direct methanol fuel cells

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Abstract

Carbon-supported platinum–iron catalysts were fabricated and characterised by means of scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray system and X-ray diffraction. The catalysts were tested in electrochemical half cells for oxygen reduction using voltammetry and steady-state polarisation measurements and in direct methanol fuel cells. Use of PtFe/C cathodes, instead of a Pt/C cathode, partially suppressed methanol oxidation and led to higher net oxygen reduction currents in the presence of methanol. Consequently, an increase in power density up to 30% was achieved in direct methanol fuel cells with PtFe/C cathodes, compared to that with Pt/C cathode. The influence of alloy composition and operation conditions on the cell performance has been investigated.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Carbon Trust and EPSRC for funding. The work was performed in research facilities provided through an EPSRC/HEFCE Joint Infrastructure Fund award (No. JIF4NESCEQ).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemical Engineering & Advanced Materials, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK

    K. Scott, W. Yuan & H. Cheng

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  1. K. Scott
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  2. W. Yuan
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  3. H. Cheng
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Correspondence to H. Cheng.

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Scott, K., Yuan, W. & Cheng, H. Feasibility of using PtFe alloys as cathodes in direct methanol fuel cells. J Appl Electrochem 37, 21–26 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-006-9224-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-006-9224-x

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