Characterisation of thermally deposited platinum and palladium catalysts for direct formic acid fuel cells

Platinum and palladium based electrocatalysts prepared by thermal decomposition of chloride precursors onto titanium mesh were screened for the oxidation of formic acid. Electrochemical characterisation using cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry were used to assess an compare the relative activities of the mesh based electrodes. Single fuel cell tests, employing the titanium mesh anodes with PtSn catalyst showed better performance than with palladium catalysts. The formic acid fuel cells operated with dry air and zero back-pressure can generate power densities up to 32 mW cm(-2) at 30 degrees C. Catalysed titanium mesh may be a promising alternative to carbon-supported catalysts to power portable devices.