Performance of direct methanol fuel cells with sputter-deposited anode catalyst layers

Performance of direct methanol fuel cells with sputter-deposited Pt-Ru anod es was investigated. The thin film catalyst layers were characterized using X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, Rutherford backscatte ring spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Different catalyst loadings and membrane electrode assembly (MEA) fabrication processes were tested. The maximum power density achieved at 90 degrees C was 100 mW/cm(2) , and almost 75 mW/cm(2) was attained with a loading of only 0.03 mg/cm(2). The results demonstrate that a catalyst utilization of at least 2300 mW/mg can be achieved at current densities ranging from 260 to 380 mA/cm(2). The application of the sputter-deposition method for MEA fabrication is partic ularly attractive for commercialization of direct methanol fuel cell techno logy. (C) 2000 The Electrochemical Society. S1099-0062(00)06-042-9. All rig hts reserved.