Carbon nano-fiber interlayer that provides high catalyst utilization in direct methanol fuel cell

The introduction of a carbon nano-fiber (CNF) interlayer to the interface between the carbon paper and the catalyst layer was investigated for providing a highly active catalyst layer with PtRu nano-particles on it for the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) anode. A precipitation method was used for applying the CNF layer and the catalyst layer. The effects of the loadings of the CNF and the catalyst on the DMFC power generation were evaluated. The CNF interlayer covered the large openings of the carbon paper resulting in a dense and smooth surface. The PtRu black catalyst prepared on the surface of the CNF layer provided a higher power density of DMFC than that obtained by using carbon black, suggesting that the dense and crackless surface of the CNF layer reduced the catalyst loss that leaks into the crack and increases the active reaction sites on the anode surface. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.