Methanol oxidation and direct methanol fuel cells: a selective review

Electrochemical non-enzymatic glucose sensors.

Carbon supported platinum is commonly used as anode and cathode electrocatalyst in low-temperature fuel cells fuelled with hydrogen or low molecular weight alcohols. The cost of Pt and the limited world supply are significant barriers to the widespread use of these types of fuel cells. Moreover, platinum used as anode material is readily poisoned by carbon monoxide, present in the reformate gas used as H2 carrier in the case of polymer electrolyte fuel cells, and a byproduct of alcohol oxidation in the case of direct alcohol fuel cells. In addition, Pt alone does not present satisfactory activity for the oxygen reduction reaction when used as cathode material. For all these reasons, binary and ternary platinum-based catalysts and non-platinum-based catalysts have been tested as electrode materials for low temperature fuel cells. Palladium and platinum have very similar properties because they belong to the same group in the periodic table. The activity for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of Pd is only slightly lower than that of Pt, and by addition of a suitable metal, such as Co or Fe, the ORR activity of Pd can overcome that of Pt. Conversely, the activity for the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) of Pd is considerably lower than that of Pt, but by adding of a very small amount (5 at%) of Pt, the HOR activity of Pd attains that of pure Pt. This paper presents an overview of Pd and Pd-containing catalysts, tested both as anode and cathode materials for low-temperature fuel cells.

Palladium in fuel cell catalysis

Electrocatalysis of methanol oxidation

During the last decade, fuel cells have received enormous attention from research institutions and companies as novel electrical energy conversion systems. In the near future, they will see application in automotive propulsion, distributed power generation, and in low power portable devices (battery replacement). This review gives an introduction into the fundamentals and applications of fuel cells: Firstly, the environmental and social factors promoting fuel cell development are discussed, with an emphasis on the advantages of fuel cells compared to the conventional techniques. Then, the main reactions, which are responsible for the conversion of chemical into electrical energy in fuel cells, are given and the thermodynamic and kinetic fundamentals are stated. The theoretical and real efficiencies of fuel cells are also compared to that of internal combustion engines. Next, the different types of fuel cells and their main components are explained and the related material issues are presented. A section is devoted to fuel generation and storage, which is of paramount importance for the practical aspects of fuel cell use. Finally, attention is given to the integration of the fuel cells into complete systems.

Fuel Cells: Principles, Types, Fuels, and Applications

Generalized scheme of chemisorption, electrooxidation and electroreduction of simple organic compounds on platinum group metals

Kinetics and mechanism of glucose electrooxidation on different electrode-catalysts: Part I. Adsorption and oxidation on platinum

Kinetics and mechanism of glucose electrooxidation on different electrode-catalysts. Part II. Effect of the nature of the electrode and the electrooxidation mechanism.

Electrocatalytic and adsorption properties of platinum microparticles electrodeposited onto glassy carbon and into Nafion® films

Adsorption and anodic oxidation of methanol on iridium and rhodium electrodes

O.A. Khazova

Papers

Generalized scheme of chemisorption, electrooxidation and electroreduction of simple organic compounds on platinum group metals

Kinetics and mechanism of glucose electrooxidation on different electrode-catalysts: Part I. Adsorption and oxidation on platinum

Kinetics and mechanism of glucose electrooxidation on different electrode-catalysts. Part II. Effect of the nature of the electrode and the electrooxidation mechanism.

Electrocatalytic and adsorption properties of platinum microparticles electrodeposited onto glassy carbon and into Nafion® films

Adsorption and anodic oxidation of methanol on iridium and rhodium electrodes