Pt catalyst configuration by a new plating process for a micro tubular DMFC cathode

A new plating process has been developed for the formation of the cathode catalyst of a micro tubular direct methanol fuel cell. By using this method, a thin porous layer of Pt electrocatalyst was firstly bonded onto a tubular polymer electrolyte membrane by chemical reduction of Pt complex impregnated in the membrane. Electroplating was further made to control the loading amount and size of the Pt catalyst particles. The deposited Pt catalyst layer is around 12 μm in thickness with the Pt particles size of 10 nm. The micro tubular DMFC with a 6 mg–Pt cm−2 cathode exhibited a peak power density of 2 mW cm−2 under passive and air breathing conditions at ambient temperature and pressure.