Abstract: Electrodes comprising thermally deposited Pt, PtRu and PtRuW on titanium mesh were evaluated for the oxidation of ethylene glycol in acidic electrolyte. The electrodes were characterised using cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction and the effect of reactant concentration and temperature were examined. Single fuel cell tests employing the titanium mesh anode with the PtRuW catalyst showed better performance than that of the PtRu catalyst. A peak power density of 15 mW cm–2 was obtained at a temperature of 90 °C with 1.0 M ethylene glycol solution. The performance of the catalysed PtRu mesh electrode was comparable to that of a commercial, alcohol oxidation, PtRu carbon supported catalyst.

Abstract: Platinum and palladium based electrocatalysts prepd. by thermal decompn. of chloride precursors onto titanium mesh were screened for the oxidn. of formic acid. Electrochem. characterization using cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry were used to assess and compare the relative activities of the mesh based electrodes. Single fuel cell tests, employing the titanium mesh anodes with PtSn catalyst showed better performance than with palladium catalysts. The formic acid fuel cells operated with dry air and zero back-pressure can generate power densities up to 32 mW cm-2 at 30°C. Catalyzed titanium mesh may be a promising alternative to carbon-supported catalysts to power portable devices.

Abstract: The electrooxidation of dimethoxymethane (DMM) and trimethoxymethane (TMM) was studied at different platinum-based electrocatalysts deposited onto a titanium mesh substrate by thermal decomposition of chloride precursors. Half-cell tests showed an increase in oxidation current for the methoxy fuels at the platinum electrode with the alloying of ruthenium and tin. Increase in reaction temperature and reactant concentration showed an increase in current density for the mesh-based anodes similar to carbon-supported catalysts. Single fuel cell tests, employing the titanium mesh anode with PtRu and PtSn catalysts showed maximum power densities up to 31 mW cm−2 and 48 mW cm−2 for 1.0 mol dm−3 aqueous solutions of DMM and TMM, respectively at 60 °C using oxygen.

Abstract: Platinum based binary and ternary catalysts prepared by thermal decomposition on titanium mesh were characterised and compared in terms of the electrochemical activity for ethanol oxidation. An enhancement in the catalytic activity was observed for the binary catalyst containing tin and ruthenium in their compositions with platinum. The catalysts were tested in single direct ethanol fuel cells and the result obtained with PtRu and PtSn showed that the mesh based electrodes show competitive performance in comparison to the conventional carbon based anodes.