Abstract
This paper presents the result of the evaluation of the catalytic performance by cyclic voltammetry method and power generation experiment for a direct ethanol fuel cell at room temperature. The compound anode catalysts mass ratio of platinum to ruthenium (Pt:Ru) was adjusted at 9:1, 1:1, 3:1 and 1:3. The catalyst was used in a membrane electrode assembly. A passive fuel cell was used in the power generation experiment, and ethanol concentration was set at 1.1M (5wt%), 3.3M(15wt%), 5.4M(25wt%) and 7.7M(35wt%). It was found that the addition of ruthenium is effective for the oxidation of ethanol, and Pt:Ru=3:1 was the best catalyst mass ratio. The optimal ethanol concentration, with this catalyst, was 5.4M (25wt.%). In comparison with a platinum catalyst, the addition of ruthenium was found to be capable of achieving a better performance at a higher concentration in an aqueous ethanol solution.
