Br. Rauhe et al., DIRECT ANODIC-OXIDATION OF METHANOL ON SUPPORTED PLATINUM RUTHENIUM CATALYST IN AQUEOUS CESIUM CARBONATE, Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 142(4), 1995, pp. 1073-1084
Methanol electro-oxidation was carried out on porous gas diffusion ele
ctrodes in Cs2CO3 electrolytes at 100 to 140 degrees C and ambient pre
ssures. It was found that Pt-Ru bimetallic catalysts supported on grap
hitized carbon provided enhanced performance, compared to supported Pt
catalyst. Performance curves, based on unit catalyst mass, for Pt-Ru
at 120 degrees C matched or exceeded previously reported performance d
ata for supported Pt or Pt black in concentrated Cs2CO3 electrolytes a
t 120 to 150 degrees C at 8 atm, and for supported Pt-Ru in concentrat
ed H3PO4 electrolytes at 200 degrees C. It was found that the polytetr
afluoroethylene (PTFE) content in the reaction layer, and consequently
the extent of wetting, had a marked effect on cell performance, and 2
0 to 30 weight percent PTFE was found to be optimal. Maximum cell perf
ormance was found at operating temperatures 10 to 15 degrees C below t
he boiling pint of the electrolyte.