Studies of Hydrocarbon Fuel Cell Anodes by the Multipulse Potentiodynamic Method

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Abstract
Rates of adsorption of methane on semimicro Teflon‐bonded, platinum black fuel cell electrodes in the presence of a perchloric acid electrolyte are about an order of magnitude lower than those previously observed with ethane. At 65°C the measured rate of adsorption on a clean surface correlates well with the maximum anodic current that can be drawn from the electrode. The ad‐layer on the surface of the electrode consists of C1 species, some of which are partially oxidized. Similar C1 species which form upon the adsorption of higher molecular weight hydrocarbons appear to play an important role in the over‐all anodic oxidation of hydrocarbons. This implies that an efficient catalyst for hydrocarbon anodes should promote the cracking of higher molecular weight hydrocarbons to form C1 radicals and also promote the reaction of these fragments with water.

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