Influence of Au contents of AuPt anode catalyst on the performance of direct formic acid fuel cell

We reported that various compositions of AuPt nanoparticles synthesized as an anode material for formic acid fuel cell were investigated. Its surface characteristics were systematically analyzed using XRD and TEM and anodic electrocatalytic activity was studied using a linear sweep voltammetry technique in 0.5 M H2SO4 + 1 M HCOOH. In addition, the voltage–current curve and power density of home-made AuPt-based membrane–electrode-assembly (MEA) and commercial Pt0.5Ru0.5-based MEA was measured at 60 °C in 9 M formic acid. The maximum power density of Au0.6Pt0.4-based MEA was 30% higher than that of PtRu-based MEA which were 200 mW cm−2 and 155 mW cm−2, respectively.