High-performance carbon electrodes for acid methanol—air fuel cells

High-performance, Teflon-bonded carbon electrodes, catalysed with highly dispersed platinum metal, have been developed for oxygen reduction in H₂SO₄. Surface-treated Vulcan XC-72 carbon has been used as the substrate material. The electrodes can be loaded with current densities of 1.1 A cm^–2 intermittently and 900 mA cm^–2 for extended periods without serious degradation. The performance of these electrodes in the presence of methanol has also been examined.