Iron(III) tetramethoxyphenylporphyrin (FeTMPP) as methanol tolerant electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction in direct methanol fuel cells

Carbon supported iron(III) tetramethoxyphenylporphyrin (FeTMPP) heat treate d at 800 degrees C under argon atmosphere was used as catalysts for the ele ctroreduction of oxygen in direct methanol polybenzimidazole (PBI) polymer electrolyte fuel cells that were operated at 150 degrees C. The electrode s tructure was optimized in terms of the composition of PTFE, polymer electro lyte and carbon-supported FeTMPP catalyst loading. The effect of methanol p ermeation from anode to cathode on performance of the FeTMPP electrodes was examined using spectroscopic techniques, such as on line mass spectroscopy (MS), on line Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and conventio nal polarization curve measurements under fuel cell operating condition. Th e results show that carbon supported FeTMPP heat treated at 800 degrees C i s methanol tolerant and active catalyst for the oxygen reduction in a direc t methanol PBI fuel cell. The best cathode performance under optimal condit ion corresponded to a potential reached of 0.6 V vs RHE at a current densit y of 900 mA cm(-2).