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The impact of mass transport and methanol crossover on the direct methanol fuel cell

Lookup NU author(s): Emeritus Professor Keith Scott, Dr Wathiq Taama, Dr Panagiotis Argyropoulos

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Abstract

The performance of a liquid feed direct methanol fuel cell based on a Nafion® solid polymer electrolyte membrane is reported. The cell utilises a porous Pt-Ru-carbon supported catalyst anode. The effect of cell temperature, air cathode pressure, methanol fuel flow rate and methanol concentration on the power performance of a small-scale (9 cm2 area) cell is described. Data reported is analysed in terms of semi-empirical models for the effect of methanol crossover by diffusion on cathode potential and thus cell voltage. Mass transfer characteristics of the anode reaction are interpreted in terms of the influence of carbon dioxide gas evolution and methanol diffusion in the carbon cloth diffusion layer. Preliminary evaluation of reaction orders and anode polarisation agree with a previous suggested mechanism for methanol oxidation involving a rate limiting step of surface reaction between adsorbed CO and OH species. © 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Scott K, Taama WM, Argyropoulos P, Sundmacher K

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Journal of Power Sources

Year: 1999

Volume: 83

Issue: 1-2

Pages: 204-216

Print publication date: 01/10/1999

ISSN (print): 0378-7753

ISSN (electronic): 1873-2755

Publisher: Elsevier

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-7753(99)00303-1

DOI: 10.1016/S0378-7753(99)00303-1

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