The electrochemical surface area (ESA) of the half-membrane electrode assembly (HMEA) and dimethyl-ether (DME) electrooxidation on the HMEA were examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The ESAs of the electrode before and after DME electrooxidation were calculated from the integrated charge during the adsorption (and/or desorption) of atomic hydrogen minus the charge for the double layer charging in 0.5 mol·L-1 H2SO4. The increase in ESA was observed, and this was attributed to the change of catalyst layer structure, leading to a more effective contact between catalysts and the electrolyte Nafion.
Anode electro-catalysts for direct dimethyl-ether fuel cell (DDFC), Pt/C, PtRu/C (1∶1) and PtSn/C (3∶2), were prepared by chemical impregnation-reductio n method with formaldehyde as the reductant. DME electro-oxidation and adsorptio n at Pt electrode and Pt electro-catalysts were investigated by Cyclic Voltammet ry(CV), Quasi-steady state polarization and Gas Chromatography(GC). CV showed th at there were two current peaks of DME electro-oxidation at Pt electrode around 0.8V (vs RHE); DME was adsorbed at Pt electrode more weakly and slowly than oxyg en, methanol, even hydrogen; the onset potential of DME oxidation was 50mV less than that of methanol, and DME peak potential 110 mV lower, thus more advantageo us for using in fuel cells than methanol. GC showed that small amount of HCHO wa s generated during DME electro-oxidation. The mechanism of DME electro-oxidation was proposed. Among the three electro-catalysts (Pt/C, PtRu/C and PtSn/C), Pt a lloy catalysts, especially PtRu/C, showed a higher performance toward DME electr o-oxidation, as in the case of methanol. Temperature experiments showed that bot h DME electro-oxidation and adsorption on Pt and Pt alloy catalysts were favored with increased temperature.
