Design of high-quality Pt-CeO2 composite anodes supported by carbon black for direct methanol fuel cell application

A Pt on nano-sized CeO2 particles that in turn are supported on carbon black (CB) was synthesized using the co-impregnation method. This potential anode material for fuel cell applications was synthesized in a stepwise process. The pure CeO2 was synthesized using an ammonium carbonate precipitation method, and the Pt particles dispersed on the CeO2 in such a way that a uniform dispersion with the CB was obtained (Pt–CeO2/CB). The electrochemical activity of the methanol (CH3OH) oxidation reaction on the Pt–CeO2/CB was investigated using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry experimentation. The onset potential of CH3OH oxidation reaction on the Pt–CeO2/CB anode was shifted to a lower potential as compared with that on commercially available Pt–Ru/carbon (C) alloy anode. In addition, the activation energy of the Pt–CeO2/CB anode was much lower than that of the Pt–Ru/C alloy anode. Moreover, the current density of the Pt–CeO2/CB anode was much higher than that of the Pt–Ru/C alloy anode at temperatures between 281 and 601C. These results suggest that the anode performance of the Pt–CeO2/CB anode at the operating temperature of typical fuel cells (801C) is superior to that of the more usual Pt–Ru/C alloy anode. Importantly, the rare metal, Ru, is not required in the present anode material and the amount of Pt required is also significantly reduced. As a consequence, we report a promising candidate Pt–CeO2/CB composite anode for application in the development of direct methanol fuel cells.