Pt/WC as an anode catalyst for PEMFC: Activity and CO tolerance

A mesoporous tungsten carbide of WC-phase was synthesized by using ammonium meta tungstate as tungsten precursor and resorcinol–formaldehyde polymer as carbon source in the presence of a surfactant. The platinum supported on this material with a low loading (7.5 wt%) served as an effective CO tolerant electro anode catalyst. The Pt/WC catalyst showed two times higher activity per mass of Pt for hydrogen electro-oxidation compared to a commercial Pt/C catalyst (E-Teck). In addition, it exhibited much improved resistance to CO poisoning relative to the Pt/C catalyst. Since the catalyst is also stable in electrochemical environment, it could become an alternative anode catalyst for PEMFC.