Methanol-Tolerant Cathode Catalysts for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) are foreseen as the choice power source for electric vehicles; more immediate battery replacement applications exist in both civilian and military markets. Low cost of methanol and its high energy density as well as inherent safety are the reasons why there is such a great interest in this power source. One of the major technical challenges in the development of DMFC is the deleterious influence of methanol on the oxygen cathode. Methanol permeating through the membrane establishes a mixed potential at the cathode, thus lowering the cell voltage; in addition, methanol may also poison the cathode catalyst. Therefore, it is desirable to develop a cathode catalyst that will be selective towards oxygen in the presence of methanol. The overall objective of this program is to develop nanostructured transition metal cluster compunds of the type Mo/Ru/Se. Several variations of this class of compounds will be synthesized and characterized. Their performance towards oxygen reduction in presence of methanol will be assessed both in half cells and in fuel cells.