Electrode treatment method for improving performance in liquid feed fuel cells

摘要

Fuel cell performance in liquid feed fuel cells with an electrode comprising a carbonaceous substrate and an electrocatalyst can be increased by oxidizing the carbon substrate, particularly by electrochemical methods in acidic aqueous solution, prior to incorporation of the electrocatalyst. The treated substrate may thereafter be advantageously impregnated with a proton conducting ionomer to prevent excessive penetration of the applied catalyst into the substrate. The treatment method is particularly effective for direct methanol fuel cell anodes.