A methodology for the electroless deposition (ED) of ruthenium (Ru) on a commercial, carbon-supported Platinum (Pt) catalyst has been developed for electrochemical and fuel cell applications [1, 2]. Several different bimetallic catalysts composed of Pt and Ru have been produced using this methodology with promise of having better catalytic activity. Figure 1 shows how the SEA/ED method produces a finer, more evenly dispersed bimetallic distribution with less monometallic clustering [1]. These bimetallic catalysts have shown higher activities compared to both commercially-available Pt-Ru/C catalysts and monometallic Pt or Ru catalysts [3, 4]. This method’s bimetallic catalyst is proven to show better resistance to CO poisoning as well [3, 5, 6]. In application, this Pt-Ru/C catalyst has promise to be an optimal catalyst for use in a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC).

The objective for this study is to test the performance of the new Pt-Ru/C catalyst within a DMFC and compare the results to the commercially-available catalyst. This includes synthesis of the SEA/ED, Pt-Ru/C catalyst, characterization of the commercially-available and newly-synthesized catalyst with analysis, and finally, testing of each catalyst within a DMFC testing station and analyzing performance results. The DMFC testing and comparison is important to help show the catalysts’ real-world performance as well as effects of possible CO-poisoning during operation. The newly-synthesized catalyst has an increased electrochemical area as well as a better bi-metallic dispersion, to allow ruthenium to better prevent any platinum from being poisoned, causing the catalyst to perform better and last longer.

1. Diao, W., et al., Preparation and Characterization of Pt–Ru Bimetallic Catalysts Synthesized by Electroless Deposition Methods. ACS Catalysis, 2015. 5(9): p. 5123-5134.

2. Cho, H.-R. and J.R. Regalbuto, The rational synthesis of Pt-Pd bimetallic catalysts by electrostatic adsorption. Catalysis Today, 2015. 246: p. 143-153.

3. Garrick, T.R., et al., The Effect of Bimetallic Surface Composition for Methanol Oxidation. Student Posters (General) - 223rd Ecs Meeting, 2013. 53(29): p. 79-84.

4. Garrick, T.R., et al., The Effect of the Surface Composition of Ru-Pt Bimetallic Catalysts for Methanol Oxidation. Electrochimica Acta, 2016. 195: p. 106-111.

5. Galhenage, R.P., et al., Platinum–ruthenium bimetallic clusters on graphite: a comparison of vapor deposition and electroless deposition methods. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 2015. 17(42): p. 28354-28363.

6. Kabbabi, A., et al., In situ FTIRS study of the electrocatalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide and methanol at platinum–ruthenium bulk alloy electrodes. Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, 1998. 444(1): p. 41-53.