OXYGEN REDUCTION ON RUTHENIUM-OXIDE PYROCHLORE PRODUCED IN A PROTON-EXCHANGE MEMBRANE

Ruthenium-oxide pyrochlore (Pb2Ru2-xPbxO7-x) particles were synthesize d inside a Dow developmental fuel-cell membrane (the Dow membrane is a perfluorosulfonated ion-exchange polymer) by treatment of Ru3+, Pb2exchanged membrane in alkaline aqueous solution with purging of O2 at 75-degrees-C for at least 2 days. Compared to our previous work of rut henium-oxide pyrochlore electrode attached to a Dow membrane, this wor k took advantage of incorporating Dow gel, eliminated the reaction-irr elevant Teflon binder, and simplified the electrode fabrication proced ure. Interesting oxygen reduction activity at room temperature was obt ained, and the response time for the oxygen reduction reaction was ver y fast.