A bipolar passive DMFC stack for portable applications

Recent progress in development of efficient electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation reaction in direct methanol fuel cell

“…Latest studies reveal the outcome of the ruthenium addition to Pt-catalyst for methanol oxidation. 12,13,18,[77][78][79][80] Ruthenium promotes the MOR mostly by recognized bifunctional mechanism and by the ligand effect, where (a) Pt is easily amended via Ru addition by lowering the electron charge density of the Pt 5d orbital and by the weakening of CO-Pt bond, (b) water activation occurs at the lower potential on Ru surface to form Ru-OH and, in turn, promotes the CO removal from Pt surface at low overpotential. Moreover, transition metals such as Fe, Ni, Cu, etc., facilitate the MOR process via ligand effect, where modification of the Pt d-band structure is the vital reason for the change in surface adsorption behavior and consequently leads to superior electrocatalytic activity.…”

“…In low-temperature fuel cells, DMFC is one of the ideal energy source of liquid fuel, low-cost, low-temperature requirement, high power density, quick refueling, facile charging, and low environmental impact. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] However, key obstacles in the commercialization of DMFC for methanol oxidation process are: (a) high manufacturing cost, methanol crossover, water and heat management and maintenance of longterm stability during the electrochemical reaction; (b) the association of membrane electrode, membrane thickness, diffusion layer, catalyst loading, and low power density; (c) moreover, the slow reactions at electrode, particularly at the anode (methanol oxidation); (d) high amount of catalyst loading to enhance the electrocatalytic activity leads to methanol crossover and an increase in the cost of catalyst, particularly platinum-based electrocatalyst; and (e) formation of carbonates and bicarbonates in an alkaline medium leads to declined current density response as a result of restricted adsorption of hydroxides ion on the electrode surface in the presence of CO 3 −2 and HCO 3 −1 . Many studies have been accomplished to develop catalysts with appropriate functionality and cost to improve the process as well as the commercialization of fuel cells as an alternative energy source.…”

“…Among the types of fuel cells, proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), alkaline fuel cell (AFC), direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), and phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC) are examples of the low‐temperature fuel cell while molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) are examples of the high‐temperature fuel cell. In low‐temperature fuel cells, DMFC is one of the ideal energy source of liquid fuel, low‐cost, low‐temperature requirement, high power density, quick refueling, facile charging, and low environmental impact 11‐20 . However, key obstacles in the commercialization of DMFC for methanol oxidation process are: (a) high manufacturing cost, methanol crossover, water and heat management and maintenance of long‐term stability during the electrochemical reaction; (b) the association of membrane electrode, membrane thickness, diffusion layer, catalyst loading, and low power density; (c) moreover, the slow reactions at electrode, particularly at the anode (methanol oxidation); (d) high amount of catalyst loading to enhance the electrocatalytic activity leads to methanol crossover and an increase in the cost of catalyst, particularly platinum‐based electrocatalyst; and (e) formation of carbonates and bicarbonates in an alkaline medium leads to declined current density response as a result of restricted adsorption of hydroxides ion on the electrode surface in the presence of CO 3 −2 and HCO 3 −1 .…”

Micro Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Based on Reduced Graphene Oxide Composite Electrode

“…Although the performance of μDMFC is considerably more advantageous compared to other types of fuel cells, such as strong continuous power supply capability, high reliability, and convenient fuel replenishment, there are still many limitations preventing its wide adaptation for industrial and commercial use [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Firstly, for μDMFC, the noble metal platinum (Pt) is considered the best biofunctional catalyst for optimal cell performance.…”

Performance of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane for Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Application: Perspective on Morphological Structure

“…Interestingly, the introduction of composite electrolyte membranes appears to have a positive impact on their performance in DMFC. The composite electrolyte membranes consist of the main polymer and inorganic fillers, such as silica, heteropolyacid, zirconium phosphate (ZrP), montmorillonite, zirconium hydrogen phosphate, metal oxide, single-walled carbon nanotubes and so on, which increase the performance of DMFC when compared to the pristine membranes [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26].…”