In-situ surface reflective FTIR and on-line transmission spectroscopy of direct methanol fuel cell anode surfaces and exhaust at 50°C

Potential dependent, in-situ surface reflective and on-line transmission FTIR spectroscopy of adsorbed and desorbed spieces, formed on direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) anode catalytic surfaces, confirm linear bound CO as the primary intermediate on pt black surfaces of fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies. The extent dipole-dipole coupling, bandwidth and band position are dependent on the methanol/water ratio. It is observed the linear Stark regime extends beyond 1.0 volts on the membrane electrode assembly catalyst surface. In addition to CO2, methylformate is another main product of DMFC, which is detected at the anode exhaust by on line FTIR. The bipolar peaks resulting from the Stark shift suggest a change in the selection rules caused by Nafion.