Role of microporosity of carbon produced from rice husks on electrochemical performance of Pt−Ru catalyst for direct methanol fuel cells

• Activated carbons were prepared with rice husks by chemical activation.
• Pt−Ru metals were deposited onto the carbon surfaces.
• The Pt−Ru-deposited activated carbons showed excellent electrochemical properties.

Activated carbon was synthesized from rice husks via chemical activation using different ratios of AC:KOH (1:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4). Pt−Ru was deposited on the activated rice husks (A-RHs) by a chemical reduction method. The A-RH (1:3) exhibited a large surface area (>2000 m2/g) and high total pore volume (1.47 cm3/g), providing optimal conditions for Pt−Ru dispersion and subsequent improvement of electrochemical performances. Consequently, it was found that the electrochemical behavior of A-RH catalyst was improved by larger active surface area and optimal pore structure, suggesting new potential for rice husks as a superior direct methanol fuel cell catalyst.

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