Since electrode electroactivity and stability depend directly on the nature, morphology, and structure of the material, we have investigated how modifications to the Pechini method during the synthesis of Pt-RuO x /C electrocatalysts affected catalyst activity. The structure and stability of the resulting materials were investigated after their submission to a large number of potential scans and to constant potential for a prolonged time period in sulfuric acid 0.5 mol L −1 and methanol 0.1 mol L −1 solution. DMFC tests were accomplished using membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) prepared by hot-pressing a pretreated Nafion 117 membrane together with the prepared Pt-RuO x anodes and a Pt cathode (from E-TEK), in order to compare the catalytic activity of the materials prepared by different methods. The stability studies demonstrated that the catalyst whose resin/carbon support mixture was agitated in a balls mill before undergoing heat-treatment was more stable than the other prepared catalysts. The catalysts synthesized with the single resin consisting of Pt and Ru and subjected to ultrasound before heat-treatment furnished the highest power density in the single fuel cell.

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Electrode electroactivity depends directly on its nature, morphology, and structure. These parameters, in turn, are related to the preparation method, which will influence the cell performance and electrode stability. Thermal decomposition of polymeric precursors is among the several proposed methods for catalyst preparation. In this work, the effect of modifications to this method during the synthesis of Pt-RuOx/C electrocatalysts on the composition and electrochemically active surface area of electrode catalysts were monitored. To this end, the prepared electrodes were subjected to a large number of potential scans and to constant potential for a prolonged time period in sulfuric acid 0.5 mol L-1 and methanol 0.1 mol L-1 solution