Design of High‐Quality Pt–CeO ₂ Composite Anodes Supported by Carbon Black for Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Application

Abstract

A Pt on nano‐sized CeO 2 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 CeO 2 was synthesized using an ammonium carbonate precipitation method, and the Pt particles dispersed on the CeO 2 in such a way that a uniform dispersion with the CB was obtained (Pt–CeO 2 /CB). The electrochemical activity of the methanol (CH 3 OH) oxidation reaction on the Pt–CeO 2 /CB was investigated using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry experimentation. The onset potential of CH 3 OH oxidation reaction on the Pt–CeO 2 /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–CeO 2 /CB anode was much lower than that of the Pt–Ru/C alloy anode. Moreover, the current density of the Pt–CeO 2 /CB anode was much higher than that of the Pt–Ru/C alloy anode at temperatures between 28° and 60°C. These results suggest that the anode performance of the Pt–CeO 2 /CB anode at the operating temperature of typical fuel cells (80°C) 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–CeO 2 /CB composite anode for application in the development of direct methanol fuel cells.