Abstract: Methanol tolerant catalyst material containing membrane electrode assemblies and fuel cells prepared therewith are provided. A substrate is coated with an electrocatalyst coating composition that includes a methanol tolerant catalyst obtained by mixing together: (1) organometallic clusters containing (i) a carbonyl group or a cyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon ligand group, and (ii) a chalcogen containing group selected from MnFepXm, MnXm, MnClpXm, or mixtures thereof wherein M=Pt, Ru or Re, X=S, Se or Te, and m, n and p=1 or 2, (2) an electrically conductive component, and (3) an organic solvent, such that the clusters are adsorbed on the electrically conductive component; subsequently removing the solvent; and in a non-oxidizing atmosphere, heat-treating of the clusters adsorbed on the electrically conductive component at a temperature of at least 175° C.

Abstract: Methanol tolerant catalyst material and method of its preparation are provided. These novel catalyst materials are based on organometallic clusters containing (i) a carbonyl group or a cyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon ligand group, and (ii) a chalcogen containing group selected from MnFepXm, MnXm, MnClpXm, or mixtures thereof wherein M=Pt, Ru or Re, X=S, Se or Te, and m, n and p=1 or 2. The catalyst materials are obtained by mixing together organometallic clusters of definite composition with an electrically conductive component in an organic solvent, subsequent removing of the solvent, and in a non-oxidizing environment, heat-treating the clusters adsorbed on the electrically conductive component at the temperature of at least 175° C.