Methanol tolerant Pd-Based carbon supported catalysts as cathode materials for direct methanol fuel cells. (14th August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rivera-Gavidia, Luis M.; Luis-Sunga, Maximina; Rodríguez, José L.; Pastor, Elena; García, Gonzalo
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 45:Number 40(2020)
• Page Start: 20673
• Page End: 20678
• Publication Date: 2020-08-14
• Subjects: ORR -- DMFC -- Pd -- Catalysis -- Electrocatalysis -- Methanol tolerance; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.01.167
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: Alcohol crossover and the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the cathode are the main practical drawbacks of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). The current work attempts to disclose and compare several strategies to study the factors affecting the performance of DMFCs. With this end in view, kinetic and mechanistic parameters of several carbon-supported palladium–based electrocatalysts towards the ORR in 0.5 M H2 SO4 and in 0.5 M H2 SO4 + X M CH3 OH (X = 0.5–3.0), were investigated applying rotating-ring disc electrode (RRDE) technique. Several procedures were employed and compared to scrutinize the data acquired during ORR in presence and absence of CH3 OH. Furthermore, the first derivative method as practical way to determine the methanol tolerance is reported. It was found that PdFeIr/C exhibits the highest catalytic performance for the ORR in the absence and the presence of methanol, in comparison to PdIr/C, PdFe/C and Pd/C electrocatalysts. Highlights: The oxygen reduction on Pd-based catalysts in 0.5 M H2 SO4 in the absence and the presence of CH3 OH was investigated. Kinetic and mechanistic parameters were obtained and analyzed by diverse procedures. The first derivative method is reported for the first time and appears as practical way to determine the methanol tolerance. PdFeIr/C reveals the highest catalytic performance regardless of methanol concentration.