Ruthenium-platinum alloy films,

Platinum-Ruthenium alloy films of various compositions have been sputter-deposited and characterized in half-cells and full cells. 

Other metals, such as copper, nickel, or silver, have been used as electrode materials in connection with specific applications, such as the detection of amino acids or carbohydrates in alkaline media (copper and nickel) and cyanide or sulfur compounds (silver). Unlike platinum or gold electrodes, these electrodes offer a stable response for carbohydrates at constant potentials, through the formation of high-valence oxyhydroxide species formed in situ on the surface and believed to act as redox mediators (40,41). Bismuth film electrodes (preplated or in situ plated ones) have been shown to be an attractive alternative to mercury films used for stripping voltammetry of trace metals (42,43). Alloy electrodes (e.g., platinum-ruthenium, nickel-titanium) are also being used for addressing adsorption or corrosion effects of one of their components. The bifunctional catalytic mechanism of alloy electrodes (such as Pt-Ru or Pt-Sn ones) has been particularly useful for fuel cell applications (44). 

High catalyst activity and utilization of sputtered thin films was demonstrated in operating fuel cells. Optimal sputter-deposition conditions for platinum-ruthenium alloys have been determined. The effect of composition on the performance of Pt-Ru films was studied, and optimal composition has been determined. Novel methods of enhancing surface area and improving porosity have been identified. Co-sputtered ruthenium oxide has been demonstrated not to have any significant beneficial effect on the activity of the catalyst layers. While cost presents a major obstacle to commercialization of DMFCs for mobile applications, this project demonstrates novel means to reduce the catalyst costs in DFMC fuel cells. Efficiency enhancements that are also necessary for DMFCs to be viable will be addressed... 

Figure 4.49. Electrocatalytic activity of mesoporous PtRu as a function of CH3OH concentration. Catalyst film prepared by liquid crystal (surfactant Ci EOg) templated reduction using Zn. Electrode potential 0.38 Vvs. RHE, 333 K. Data taken after 900 s of polarization [247]. (Reprodueed from Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, 543(2), Jiang J, Kucemak A, Electrooxidation of small organic molecules on mesoporous precious metal catalysts II CO and methanol on platinum-ruthenium alloy, 187-99, 2003, with permission from Elsevier.)...

Ruthenium is mainly used as the wear-resistant of platinum and palladimn in jewel, electrical connector alloy, hydrogenation catalyst, medicine apparatus, anticorrosion alloy, electroplating films, nitrogen fixed reagent and solar cell. Ruthenium oxide is used as coating on the titanium anode plate in the production of nitrogen using electrolysis. 

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