Mechanism and Kinetics of Direct Methanol Oxidation on Clean and Modified Platinum Electrocatalysts

Eric Stuve教授的研究涉及直接甲醇燃料电池（DMFC）中甲醇氧化的电催化机理。特别是，本研究的目的是了解贵金属电极的动力学，反应中间体，催化剂改性剂和中毒机制。长期的前景和更广泛的影响是改进电极和经济可行的DMFC的发展。在双电化学电池和双真空-电化学电池组合系统中研究了甲醇氧化的平行路径机理。金属表面将包括单晶和多晶Pt改性与Ru，Os和Ir。表面结构和化学特性将与俄歇，LEED和CO的热解吸进行表征。化学特性也将包括挥发性反应产物的微分电化学质谱。该项目的目标是培训本科生和研究生燃料电池工程师。

Professor Eric Stuve's research deals with the electrocatalytic mechanism of methanol oxidation in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC). In particular, the objective of this study is to understand the kinetics, reaction intermediates, catalyst modifiers, and poisoning mechanism of noble metal electrodes. The long-term prospect and broader impact is the development of improved electrodes and economically feasible DMFC. The parallel path mechanism of methanol oxidation will be studied in a dual electrochemical cell and in a combined ultrahigh vacuum-electrochemical cell system. The metal surfaces will consist of single crystalline and polycrystalline Pt modified with Ru, Os, and Ir. Characterization of surface structure and chemistry will be performed with Auger, LEED, and thermal desorption of CO. The chemical characterization will also include differential electrochemical mass spectroscopy of volatile reaction products. The project targets the training of undergraduate and graduate fuel cell engineers.