LIFE TESTS OF CARBON-SUPPORTED PT-CR-CU ELECTROCATALYSTS IN SOLID-POLYMER FUEL-CELLS

The life tests, at 100 and 200 mA/cm2 in a solid-polymer fuel cell, indicate that the Pt-Cr-Cu/C catalyst is relatively more active than the Pt/C catalyst even after operating the cell for 300 h. The elemental analyses of the anode and cathode catalysts, before and after the stability test, indicate an excessive loss of copper from the cathode. The enhanced activity of this catalyst is explained in terms of its improved wetting of the catalyst particles and of the Raney-type Pt-Cr-Cu alloy formation.