Development of low cost, carbon-supported carbon monoxide tolerant catalysts for phosphoric acid and proton exchange membrane fuel cell systems

Catalyst systems of carbon-supported noble metal oxide alloys which have the potential to be more CO tolerant than Pt have been identified and prepared. Testing of one of these systems under conditions similar to those at a phosphoric acid fuel cell anode has verified the tolerance to be as high as 70% CO. An extension of this work identifies CO-tolerant carbon-supported noble metal oxide alloys which can be used as anode catalysts in lower temperature (80 degrees C) proton exchange membrane fuel cells where gas cleanup requirements are more demanding.<>