Development and performance analysis of a metallic passive micro-direct methanol fuel cell for portable applications. (27th April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Falcão, D.S.; Pereira, J.P.; Rangel, C.M.; Pinto, A.M.F.R.
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 40:Number 15(2015)
• Page Start: 5408
• Page End: 5415
• Publication Date: 2015-04-27
• Subjects: Micro passive DMFC -- Experimental studies -- Methanol concentration -- Cell performance -- Low catalyst loading; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2015.01.034
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: Due to the growing interest on miniaturization for application on portable devices, the Micro Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (Micro-DMFC) proved to have great benefits. Passive fuel cells have extra advantages leading to less complex and cheaper systems. In the present work, an experimental study on the performance of a passive Micro-DMFC with an active area of 2.25 cm 2 working at ambient conditions is described. Several commercially available materials for Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) are tested including materials with low platinum content to achieve lower prices. The effect of methanol concentration on the cell performance is evaluated. The performance is compared with the one obtained using an active Micro-DMFC with the same active area. A optimized design is proposed corresponding to a maximum power density, 19.2 mW/cm 2, obtained using a Nafion 117 membrane, 3 mg/cm 2 Pt–Ru and 0.5 mg/cm 2 Pt as, respectively, anode and cathode catalyst loading, carbon paper as anode gas diffusion layer (GDL) and Sigracet carbon paper with micro porous layer (MPL) as cathode GDL at methanol feed concentration of 3 M. This result higher than the optimal power obtained with the active Micro-DMFC clearly demonstrates that membranes with low catalyst content could be used in passive MicroDMFC with success. This is an important result bearing in mind the use of micro-DMFCs in portable applications. Highlights: Low catalytic content MEAs were tested in a passive MicroDMFC. The optimal methanol concentration was determined for each MEA tested. The passive cell performance was compared with a similar active one. A maximum power output of 19.2 mW/cm 2 was obtained with this passive MicroDMFC. An enhanced cell performance was achieved using a low level of cathode catalyst loading.