Anodesusedfordirectmethanolfuelcells(DMFCs)werefabricatedbymagnetronsputteringprocess.Ahouse-madeplasmasputteringsystemwasusedtodepositPtandPtRuontoun-catalyzedgasdiffusionlayers(GDLs)atdifferentradiofrequency(RF)powersandsputteringgaspressures.ThethinfilmcatalystlayerswerecharacterizedbyX-raydiffraction,energydispersiveX-rayanalysis,andX-rayphotoelectronspectroscopy.Thesputteredanodeswereassembledincustom-mademembraneelectrodeassemblies(MEAs)withacommercialcathodeandtheelectricalperformanceofthesinglecellweretestedunderpassivemethanolsupply,ambienttemperatureandair-breathingconditions.TheelectrochemicalperformanceoftheanodespreparedwithPtRualloywascomparedwithareferenceanodesputteredwithPtonly.X-raydiffractionandX-rayphotoelectronspectroscopyrevealedthatplatinumandrutheniumexistedasaformofalloy.ThecellpolarizationmeasurementsshowedthatallthePtRualloycatalystshadbetterelectrochemicalperformancethanthePt_1catalyst,andthePt_(0.43)Ru_(0.57)catalystachievedthebestperformance.
