Passive DMFCs with PtRu catalyst on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-polystyrene-4-sulphonate support

Passive direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) are considered interesting candidates for small-scale power applications. We investigated the performance in passive DMFCs of the PtRu catalyst supported on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-polystyrene-4-sulphonate (pEDOT-pSS), a Nafion®-free, mixed electronic–protonic conductor that assures electronic transport for methanol oxidation at the anode and provides the proton movement. The DMFCs were assembled with Vulcan XC-72R carbon/Pt (in excess) cathode, Nafion® 117 membranes and 1 M CH3OH, and long-time performance data are reported and discussed.