Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Material aspects of the liquid feed direct methanol fuel cell

  • Published:
Journal of Applied Electrochemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A study of a small scale Liquid Feed Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (LFDMFC), based on solid polymer electrolyte membrane, is reported. Two flow cell designs, one with a parallel flow channel arrangement and the other with a spot design of flow bed, are used. The structure of the DMFC comprises a composite of two porous electrocatalytic electrodes; Pt–Ru–carbon catalyst anode and Pt–carbon catalyst cathode, on either side of a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) membrane. The performance of three Pt–Ru catalysts is compared. The influence of the degree of Teflon loading on the electrode structure is also reported. The effect of the following parameters: cell temperature, oxygen gas or air pressure, methanol liquid flow rate and methanol concentration on the power performance is described.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. J. M. Leger and C. Lamy, Ber. Bunsenges. Phys. Chem. 94(9) (1990) 1021–1025.

    Google Scholar 

  2. D. S. Cameron, G. A. Hards, B. Harrison and R. J. Potter, Plat. Metals Rev. 31(4) (Oct. 1987) 173–181.

    Google Scholar 

  3. G. L. Troughton and A. Hamnett, Bull Electrochem. 7 (1991) 488.

    Google Scholar 

  4. K. Scott, J. Cruickshank, J. Power Sources, 70 (1998) 40.

    Google Scholar 

  5. R. Savinell, J. S. Wainwright and S. Wasmus, `Nafion/H3PO4 as a Fuel Cell Electrolyte for Elevated Temperature Operation'. ISE Conference Oporto (1994), p. V–70.

  6. `Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Review' meeting. Department of Energy and Advanced Research Projects Agency, Baltimore, 26-27 Apr. 1994, Executive Summary.

  7. K. B. Prater, J. Power Sources 51 (1994) 129.

    Google Scholar 

  8. J. M. Leger and C. Lamy, Ber. Busenges. Phys. Chem. 94 (1990) 1021.

    Google Scholar 

  9. M. Hogarth, P. Christensen, A. Hamnett and A. K. Shukla, J. Power Sources 55 (1995) 87.

    Google Scholar 

  10. M. K. Ravikumar and A. K. Shukla, J. Electrochem. Soc. 143 (1996) 2601.

    Google Scholar 

  11. W. M. Taama, P. Argyropoulos and K. Scott, Proc. Inst. Chem Eng. Research Event, Apr. 1998, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

  12. S. Surampudi, S. R. Narayanan, E. Vamos, H. Frank, G. Halpert, A. LaConti, J. Kosek, G. K. SuryaPakash and G. A. Olah, J. Power Sources 47 (1994) 377.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemical and Process Engineering Department, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, Great Britain

    K. Scott, W. M. Taama & P. Argyropoulos

Authors
  1. K. Scott
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. W. M. Taama
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. P. Argyropoulos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Scott, K., Taama, W.M. & Argyropoulos, P. Material aspects of the liquid feed direct methanol fuel cell. Journal of Applied Electrochemistry 28, 1389–1397 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003460110286

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003460110286

Search

Navigation