Preparation of Pt/CMK-3 Anode Catalyst for Methanol Fuel Cells Using Paraformaldehyde as Reducing Agent

The Pt/CMK-3 anode catalyst for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) was prepared by the liquid reduction method using paraformaldehyde as the reducing agent. The catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that CMK-3 was a highly intriguing support material for DMFC because of its high surface area, uniform mesopores, and high thermal and chemical stability. The average particle size of Pt nanoparticles in Pt/CMK-3 was 2.8 nm, which was smaller than that of the commercially available Pt/XC-72 catalyst from the E-TEK Corporation and that of the Pt/C-M catalyst prepared using methanol as the reducing agent. The particle size distribution of Pt/CMK-3 was narrow, and the relative crystallinity was low. The electrocatalytic activity of Pt/CMK-3 for ethanol oxidation was studied. The Pt/CMK-3 catalyst possessed higher electrocatalytic activity than Pt/XC-72 and Pt/C-M catalysts.