The Role of Nanostructured Active Support Materials in Electrocatalysis of Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Reactions

Abstract:

The necessity for developing oxidation–resistant noncarbon catalyst support materials for use in the electrode/electrolyte interface of proton exchange membrane (PEM) based direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) is emphasized. A great deal of attention is currently being paid to nanostructured catalytic and support materials for electrocatalysing both anodic methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) and cathodic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The performances of various nanostructured transition metal oxides have been reviewed. Mn₃O₄ nanorods have been synthesized by us and their performances for electrocatalysing the MOR with Pd catalyst are discussed. A model explaining how nanostructured active support materials can extract active oxygen atoms required for complete oxidation of methanol from the electrolyte and supply to the adjacent catalytic sites has been proposed.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volume 710)
• Pages: 709-714
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.710.709
• Online since: January 2012
• Authors: Velu Chellasamy, Ramasamy Manoharan
• Keywords: Methanol Oxidation Reaction, Mn₃O₄ Nanorods, Nanostructured Active Support Materials, Oxygen Reduction Reaction, Transition Metal Oxides

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DOI: 10.1038/nmat2976