Methanol electrochemical oxidation reaction (MOR) catalysts are receiving great interest especially for the application in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). Much interest in DMFCs development is focused on portable power applications, because DMFCs can be better miniaturised than other fuel cells. [partial abstract].

"In the thesis work, Pt-based binary, ternary, quaternary alloy anode catalysts supported on sonochemically treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were synthesized with ethylene glycol reduction of corresponding metal chloride salts. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used for catalyst characterization. Cyclic voltammetry for methanol oxidation and CO stripping were used to evaluate the performance of the catalysts. PtRu nanoparticles supported on CNTs (PtRu/CNT) were prepared under a series of pHs. It was found that the PtRu particle size, composition, and catalytic activity were all sensitive to the deposition pHs. CO stripping results provided the peak potential and active surface area for each catalyst. The atomic ratios tended to approach the predetermined ratio 1:1 with the increase of pH, which is favored by bi-functional catalytic mechanism. PtRu catalysts prepared at higher pHs presented better electrochemical activity toward methanol oxidation. Humidified oxygen treatment of the PtRu/CNT led to improved activity of the catalysts toward methanol electro-oxidation, implying that Ru hydroxide is better than Ru as a co-catalyst. PtRu, PtOs, PtRuOs, and PtRuOsIr nanoparticles supported on CNTs with atomic ratios of Pt:Ru (tr:46), Pt:Os (80:20), Pt:Ru:Os (54:36:10), and Pt:Ru:Os:Ir (44:36:10:5) were prepared. Cyclic voltammetry for the methanol oxidation and CO stripping at the catalysts showed that PtRu/CNT and PtRuOsIr/CNT have the best performance toward methanol oxidation, PtRuOs/CNT has the lowest activity, but PtOs/CNT exhibits better catalytic activity only at potential or 0.73 V"--Abstract, leaf iii.

This book describes a science and technology of a new type of electrocatalysts consisting of a single atomic layer of platinum on suitable supports. This development helped overcome three major obstacles—catalysts‘ cost, activity, and stability—for a broad range of fuel cell applications. The volume begins with a short introduction to the science of electrocatalysis, covering four reactions important for energy conversion in fuel cells. A description follows of the properties of metal monolayers on electrode surfaces, and underpotential deposition of metals. The authors then describe the concept of Pt monolayer electrocatalysts and its implications and their synthesis by galvanic displacement of less-noble metal monolayers and other methods. The main part of the book presents a discussion of catalysts’ characterization and catalytic properties of Pt monolayers for the four main reactions of electrochemical energy conversion: oxygen reduction and oxidation of hydrogen, methanol and ethanol. The book concludes with a treatment of scale-up syntheses, fuel cell tests, catalysts’ stability and application prospects.

This book deals with an analysis of materials issues, status of technologies and potential applications of direct methanol fuel cells. The principle of operation of direct methanol fuel cells and the status of knowledge in the basic research areas are presented. The technology of direct methanol fuel cells is discussed in this book with particular regard to fabrication methodologies for the manufacturing of catalysts, electrolytes membrane-electrode assemblies, stack hardware and system design.

This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "Electrocatalysis in Fuel Cells" that was published in Catalysts

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are promising clean energy converting devices with high efficiency and low to zero emissions. Such power sources can be used in transportation, stationary, portable and micro power applications. The key components of these fuel cells are catalysts and catalyst layers. “PEM Fuel Cell Electrocatalysts and Catalyst Layers” provides a comprehensive, in-depth survey of the field, presented by internationally renowned fuel cell scientists. The opening chapters introduce the fundamentals of electrochemical theory and fuel cell catalysis. Later chapters investigate the synthesis, characterization, and activity validation of PEM fuel cell catalysts. Further chapters describe in detail the integration of the electrocatalyst/catalyst layers into the fuel cell, and their performance validation. Researchers and engineers in the fuel cell industry will find this book a valuable resource, as will students of electrochemical engineering and catalyst synthesis.