A wide compositional range of Ni-Pd alloy catalysts were prepared by electrodeposition for use as anode materials for methanol oxidative fuel cells in alkaline conditions. Structural characterization of the electrocatalysts in their as-plated condition revealed that the Ni-Pd catalysts synthesized were nanocrystalline, single phase, face centered cubic materials, indicating the formation of complete solid solution in the alloy. Compositional analysis of the alloys indicated that the palladium composition of the alloy increased with decrease in current density. This change in the composition of the alloy resulted in a shift in the X-ray diffraction peaks. The percentage shift in the d-spacing calculated from X-ray diffraction is in good agreement with percentage of palladium in the alloy. The electrocatalysts prepared are active for methanol oxidation in alkaline medium. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Haridoss Prathap

Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering

K. Suresh Kumar

Suresh Krishnamoorthy Seshadri

Anodes

Binary alloys

Characterization

Electrodeposition

Electrooxidation

Fuel cells

Nanocrystalline alloys

Structure (composition)

Synthesis (chemical)

METHANOL ELECTROOXIDATION

METHANOL OXIDATIVE FUEL CELL

Structural characterization

Inorganic coatings

IIT Madras is a public technical and research university located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Founded in 1959, it is recognised as an Institute of National Importance.

IIT Madras has been ranked as the top engineering institute in India for four years in a row by the National Institutional Ranking Framework of the MHRD

It currently offers undergraduate, postgraduate and research degrees across 16 disciplines in Engineering, Sciences, Humanities and Management. About 596 faculty belonging to science and engineering departments and centres of the Institute are engaged in teaching, research and industrial consultancy.

IIT Madras

Surface and Coatings Technology

Significant progress has been made in the last few years toward synthesizing highly dispersible inorganic catalysts for application in the electrodes of direct methanol fuel cells. In addition, research toward achieving an efficient catalyst supporting matrix has also attracted much attention in recent years. Carbon black- (Vulcan XC-72) supported Platinum and Platinum-Ruthenium catalysts have for long served as the conventional choice as the cathode and the anode catalyst materials, respectively. Oxygen reduction reaction at the cathode and methanol oxidation reaction at the anode occur simultaneously during the operation of a direct methanol fuel cell. However, inefficiencies in these reactions result in a generation of mixed potential. This, in turn, gives rise to reduced cell voltage, increased oxygen stoichiometric ratio, and generation of additional water that is responsible for water flooding in the cathode chamber. In addition, the lack of long-term stability of Pt-Ru anode catalyst, coupled with the tendency of Ru to cross through the polymer electrolyte membrane and eventually get deposited on the cathode, is also a serious drawback. Another source of potential concern is the fact that the natural resource of Pt and the rare earth metal Ru is very limited, and has been predicted to become exhausted very soon. To overcome these problems, new catalyst systems with high methanol tolerance and higher catalytic activity than Pt need to be developed. In addition, the catalyst-supporting matrix is also witnessing a change from traditionally used carbon powder to transition metal carbides and other high-performance materials. This article surveys the recent literature based on the advancements made in the field of highly dispersible inorganic catalysts for application in direct methanol fuel cells, as well as the progress made in the area of catalyst-supporting matrices. 2015 Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Critical Reviews in Solid State and Materials Sciences

Progress in Developments of Inorganic Nanocatalysts for Application in Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

Synthesis and characterization of electrodeposited Ni-Pd alloy electrodes for methanol oxidation

Journal	Surface and Coatings Technology
ISSN	02578972
Open Access	No