FUEL CELL CATALYSTS.
Abstract
A study was carried out on fuel cell catalyst carriers used in oxidation of hydrocarbons. The carriers studied were graphite, boron carbide, and because of its specific grain structure industrial diamond. The crystallite sizes of the applied noble metal and its distribution on the carrier were determined by X-ray and electron micrographic techniques. It has been demonstrated that whereas certain carriers may assure the deposition of platinum with the desired small crystallite size, they may not be able to retain it on their surface in a uniformly distributed fashion. At an unfavorable and low surface area of the carrier the noble metal may agglomerate or even separate from the carrier. The anodic oxidation of propane and of carbon monoxide containing hydrogen has been studied on supported catalyst. For both types of fuel utilization of precious metal is improved by dispersing the metal on a carrier. Of the carriers tested, graphite was found to be the best carrier for the oxidation of propane. Alloying supported platinum with ruthenium is particularly beneficial for the oxidation of carbon monoxide containing hydrogen. On the cathode the amount of precious metal needed for a given current output could not be substantially decreased by the use of catalysts on carrier. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 31, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0482110
Entities
People
- A. J. Hartner
- O. J. Adlhart