Abstract: The active methanol electro-oxidation catalysts include nano-oxides of transition metals (i.e., iron, cobalt and nickel) and platinum-ruthenium alloy nano-particles. The nano-oxides of the transition metals are dispersed during synthesis of a support material, such as mesoporous carbon. The catalyst includes a support material formed from mesoporous carbon, a nano-oxide of a transition metal dispersed in the support material, and platinum-ruthenium alloy nano-particles supported on the nano-oxide of the transition metal, the platinum-ruthenium alloy nano-particles (in a 1:1 molar ratio) forming about 15 wt % of the methanol electro-oxidation catalyst, the transition metals forming about 15 wt % of the methanol electro-oxidation catalyst, and carbon and oxygen forming the balance of about 70 wt % of the methanol electro-oxidation catalyst.

Abstract: The methanol electro-oxidation catalysts include nano-oxides of rare earth metals (i.e., cesium, praseodymium, neodymium and samarium) and platinum nano-particles. The nano-oxides of the rare earth metals are dispersed during synthesis of a support material, preferably formed from mesoporous carbon. The platinum nano-particles form between about 10 wt % and about 15 wt % of the methanol electro-oxidation catalyst, the rare earth metal forms between about 10 wt % and about 15 wt % of the methanol electro-oxidation catalyst, and carbon and oxygen forming the balance (between about 70 wt % and about 80 wt %) of the methanol electro-oxidation catalyst.

Abstract: The active methanol electro-oxidation catalysts include nano-oxides of transition metals (i.e., iron, cobalt and nickel) and platinum-ruthenium alloy nano-particles. The nano-oxides of the transition metals are dispersed during synthesis of a support material, such as mesoporous carbon. The catalyst includes a support material formed from mesoporous carbon, a nano-oxide of a transition metal dispersed in the support material, and platinum-ruthenium alloy nano-particles supported on the nano-oxide of the transition metal, the platinum-ruthenium alloy nano-particles (in a 1:1 molar ratio) forming about 15 wt % of the methanol electro-oxidation catalyst, the transition metals forming about 15 wt % of the methanol electro-oxidation catalyst, and carbon and oxygen forming the balance of about 70 wt % of the methanol electro-oxidation catalyst.

Abstract: The methanol electro-oxidation catalysts include nano-oxides of rare earth metals (i.e., cesium, praseodymium, neodymium and samarium) and platinum nano-particles. The nano-oxides of the rare earth metals are dispersed during synthesis of a support material, preferably formed from mesoporous carbon. The platinum nano-particles form between about 10 wt % and about 15 wt % of the methanol electro-oxidation catalyst, the rare earth metal forms between about 10 wt % and about 15 wt % of the methanol electro-oxidation catalyst, and carbon and oxygen forming the balance (between about 70 wt % and about 80 wt %) of the methanol electro-oxidation catalyst.

Abstract: The fuel cell membrane electrode assembly includes PtRu active species supported on mesoporous carbon nitride materials for use in the anode of direct methanol fuel cells. The fuel cell membrane electrode assembly includes an anode plate, a gas diffusion layer, and a catalyst adjacent a PEM membrane. The composition of the catalyst is about 30 wt % active species and 70 wt % support materials. The nitrided PtRu on a mesoporous carbon support provides enhanced hydrogen adsorbing capacity to accelerate the rate of oxidation of methanol at the anode of a direct methanol fuel cell, resulting in greater efficiency of the fuel cell.