PtCo catalyst with modulated surface characteristics for the cathode of direct methanol fuel cells

A PtCo catalyst with an ordered cubic primitive structure was synthesized and investigated for the application as a cathode in direct methanol fuel cells. The synthesis involved the preparation of an amorphous PtOx/C precursor by the sulfite complex route, an impregnation with Co(NO3)(2), a high temperature (800 degrees C) carbothermal reduction and, finally, a leaching procedure. This method led to the occurrence of a Pt3Co/C catalyst with a primitive cubic ordered (L1(2)) phase and a mean crystallite size of 3.3 nm, as well as a suitable degree of alloying. This electrocatalyst was investigated for the oxygen reduction reaction in a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) operating in the range 30-90 degrees C. At 60 degrees C, under atmospheric pressure, a maximum power density of 40 mW cm(-2) was obtained with the new PtCo catalyst formulation at low noble metal loading on the electrode (1 mg cm(-2)). This performance was 2.3 times higher than a benchmark Pt catalyst used for comparison. Copyright (C) 2013, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.