Studies of Hydrocarbon Fuel Cell Anodes by the Multipulse Potentiodynamic Method

The behavior of methane through butane fuels parallels that previously observed with methane, ethane, and propane with a perchloric acid electrolyte although quantitative differences are observed. A temperature range from 60°C to 120°C was covered. With both electrolytes all of the hydrocarbons form one class of surface species which is oxidized at relatively low potentials. Hydrocarbons above methane form a second more refractory class of surface species in both cases. As the molecular weight of the fuel increases, greater quantities of the refractory species accumulate on the electrode. These species play a role in determining the maximum current that can be carried by the electrode. They seem connected with the current and voltage oscillations frequently encountered with hydrocarbon fuel cells.