Pt/laponite clay-modified gold electrode for direct methanol fuel cells

Abstract

This work employs a novel technique in which laponite clay-modified gold electrodes are used as the anode for direct methanol fuel cells. The platinum/laponite clay (Pt/Clay) films on indium tin oxide electrode were characterized by using scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Various contents of laponite clay (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 wt%) with constant platinum (Pt) catalyst content on modified gold electrodes were studied as an anode catalyst for methanol oxidation. The catalyst poisoning was observed as a function of time. The 1.0 wt% Pt/Clay-modified gold electrode shows the highest activity for methanol oxidation, 27.73 % higher than Pt only modified gold electrode at 2.5 min. The peak current of 1 % Pt/Clay-modified gold electrode is 3.50 % higher than the peak current of Pt only modified gold electrode at 57.5 min. The higher content of Pt/Clay-modified gold electrode shows strong resistance to catalyst poisoning. The Pt/Clay-modified gold electrode is a new and promising electrode for a direct methanol fuel cell and can replace existing commercial catalysts.