Deposition of PtxRu1-x Catalysts for Methanol Oxidation in Micro Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

Platinum-ruthenium electrodes (PtxRu1-x) have been prepared by electrochemical and electroless deposition and investigated as catalysts for the oxidation of methanol in acidic solutions. PtxRu1-x deposits were electrochemically deposited from acidic chloride electrolytes at potentials between -0.46 and 0.34 V (vs. NHE). The composition of the electrodeposit was estimated by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and is a strong function of the electrode potential. An empirical model for the deposition process is presented and kinetic parameters are estimated and discussed. Also, the methanol oxidation activity of the PtxRu1-x catalysts was characterized by cyclic voltammetry in 1.0 M CH3OH, 1.0 M H2SO4 solutions. Electroless PtxRu1-x samples were prepared in a modified Leaman bath with hydrazine dihydrochloride as the reducing agent. The kinetic results for the electrochemical deposition of PtxRu1-x were directly applied and the deposition potential was estimated as approximately 0.40 V.