A New ( W , Mo ) C Electrocatalyst Synthesized by a Carbonyl Process: Its Activity in Relation to H 2, HCHO , and CH 3 OH Electro‐Oxidation

Abstract

Tungsten and molybdenum mixed carbide electrocatalysts are formed on a carbon fiber substrate using a novel technique, in which metallic film given by CVD at 450°C using and/or is then carburized with at 820°C. The catalyst thus obtained has a hexagonal structure ( , ), and there is little contamination by carbon in elemental forms, on its surface, according to observation by Auger electron spectroscopy. Activity tests in relation to electro‐oxidation of , , and , are conducted in , revealing that the potentiostatic current produced by each reactant per real surface area of the catalyst is 0.12 A/m² (at 0.2V vs. RHE), 0.04 (at 0.3V) and 0.00082 (at 0.5V), at 50°C. No stationary current due to methanol oxidation is observed in the molybdenum‐free catalyst.