Catalysis for Low Temperature Fuel Cells

In the first part of this three part paper, published in January 2002, we dealt with enhancing the performance of low temperature proton exchange membrane fuel Cells by improvements to the platinum-based cathode materials and to the cathode design. In this second part of the paper we shall discuss the improvements in the reformate (CO and CO₂) tolerance at the anode and in extending the MEA durability. Improvements have been achieved by advances in platinum/ruthenium electrode design, in the application of bilayer anodes for durable air bleed operation, and in the addition of a water electrolysis electrocatalyst to the anode for Cell reversal tolerance. In the third part of the paper the particular challenges presented by the direct methanol fuel Cell will be discussed.