Nickel-modified manganese oxide as an active electrocatalyst for oxidationof methanol in fuel cells

Anodic oxidation of methanol is investigated in sulfuric acid electrolyte a t 25 degrees and 60 degrees C on iron and nickel modified manganese oxide e lectrodes. The oxide layer is produced as a thin film in situ by thermal de composition of the precursors on a platinum substrate. The electrochemical activity is investigated as a function of the nature of the dopant, the amo unt of dopant, and the effect of heat treatment of electrode strips. It is found that nickel modified manganese oxide is significantly active for the electro-oxidation of methanol. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights re served.