Scientists in Canada and China have worked together to devise a new catalyst for use in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) that may lower costs.

Led by the University of Calgary's Viola Birss, the team have devised a method using acetone and ethylene glycol which they say is more effective and for a fraction of the price.

Reported in Chemistry World, the team say their process creates a methanol oxidation catalyst made up of the pgms platinum, ruthenium and iridium on a nano-scale.

The technique is reported to produce a catalyst that is more efficient in its production of energy, with the use of acetone and ethylene glycol as respective solvent and reducing agent delivering excellent results.

Earlier this year a new technique using nano-scale pieces of copper and platinum wire was devised, which enabled scientists to develop a fuel cell just 200 nanometers in width.

Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories said the fuel cell they created could function for decades by accessing a hydrogen reservoir.


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