Micro Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Based on Reduced Graphene Oxide Composite Electrode

Abstract

The effect of an anode composite electrode on the performance of a micro direct methanol fuel cell (μDMFC) is analyzed from sample preparation configurations and discussed in detail, with a specific focus on the catalyst layer and the micro-porous layer on the anode composite electrode. This study investigates the effects of Pt content, Pt-Ru molar ratio, Nafion content, catalyst support, and preparation method in the catalyst layer, along with the carbon loading and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) content in the micro-porous layer, on the performance of the anode composite electrode. The results show that the anode composite electrode delivers the best performance with 30% Pt content, a 1:1.5 Pt-Ru molar ratio, 10% Nafion content on reduced graphene oxide as the catalyst support. The synthesis is optimized with the impregnation reduction method using NaBH4 as the reducing agent, with the addition of 1.5 mg/cm2 carbon loading and 5% PTFE.