DMFCs with Enhanced Catalytic Activity and Durability Using Transition-Metal Carbides as Catalyst Support

Molybdenum carbide (MoC) and Tungsten carbide (WC) are obtained by direct carbonization method. Pt-Ru supported on MoC, WC and Vulcan XC-72R are prepared, and characterized by XRD and TEM techniques. Electrochemical activity for methanol electro-oxidation is studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and durability study on all the electro-catalysts is conducted by accelerated durability test (ADT). The electrochemical activity for methanol electro-oxidation of carbide-supported electro-catalysts is found to be higher than carbon-supported catalysts before and after ADT. Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) employing carbide-supported Pt-Ru exhibit higher performance towards methanol oxidation in relation to carbon-supported Pt-Ru.