Applications and Durability of Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

Franceschini, Esteban A.; Corti, Horacio R.

doi:10.1007/978-94-007-7708-8_9

Cited by 4 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 93 publications

(116 reference statements)

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“…[1][2][3][4][5] Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) with polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM) are already well developed and have achieved small scale commercialization. [6][7][8] Direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFC) are more attractive for sustainable energy production. 9,10 However, although there have been a number of demonstration projects, 6,10 performances are not yet sufficient for commercialization.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Kinetics and Stoichiometry of Methanol and Ethanol Oxidation in Multi-Anode Proton Exchange Membrane Cells

Brueckner

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2017

J. Electrochem. Soc.

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The anode catalyst of a direct alcohol fuel cell (DAFC) influences its energy efficiency through both its effect on the cell potential and the reaction stoichiometry (average number of electrons released per fuel molecule; n av ). A method for determining these parameters simultaneously from a polarization curve (current vs. cell potential) is reported and various catalysts have been evaluated in a multi-anode cell. The cell was operated in crossover mode, in which fuel flows though the cathode chamber and diffuses though the membrane to be oxidized at the anode, to provide controlled mass transport conditions. Tafel analysis at low potentials provides kinetic information, while currents at high potentials provide n av values and their potential dependence. The method allows a number of catalysts to be compared under the same conditions, and provides characteristic parameters that could be compared across research groups. It is shown that while PtRu alloy catalysts provide faster kinetics than Pt for both methanol of ethanol oxidation, Pt can provide much higher stoichiometries for ethanol oxidation. The value of this methodology for catalyst screening is demonstrated with mixed Pt/C + PtRu/C anodes which show a pronounced synergistic effect relative to the individual Pt/C and PtRu/C catalysts. Direct alcohol fuel cells are emerging technologies for power production from renewable fuels.1-5 Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) with polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM) are already well developed and have achieved small scale commercialization.6-8 Direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFC) are more attractive for sustainable energy production.9,10 However, although there have been a number of demonstration projects, 6,10 performances are not yet sufficient for commercialization.10 Ethylene glycol 11,12 and glycerol 13 are also being studied for use in fuel cells, but present more complex problems.There are many challenges that are impeding the development of DAFC technology. 1,7,10,14 Relative to hydrogen PEMFCs, which already have relatively large markets, DAFCs suffer from much larger anode overpotentials, efficiency and power loses due to fuel crossover, and incomplete oxidation of the fuel. The primary requirement for commercialization of ethanol, ethylene glycol and glycerol fuel cells is the development of anode catalysts that oxidize these fuels completely to carbon dioxide at low overpotentials.12,15-17 Better anode catalysts are also required for widespread implementation of DMFC technology. 18The importance of DAFC technology for a sustainable energy future based on clean and efficient use of renewable fuels has resulted in intensive studies of the electrochemical oxidation of alcohols and the development of thousands of different anode catalysts. Generally, these have been evaluated at ambient temperatures in liquid electrolytes by cyclic voltammetry and in many cases by chronoamperometry. Products have been analyzed in some cases by techniques such as FTIR spectroscopy 16,[19][20][21] and differential electrochemica...

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confidence: 99%

“…[6][7][8] Direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFC) are more attractive for sustainable energy production. 9,10 However, although there have been a number of demonstration projects, 6,10 performances are not yet sufficient for commercialization. 10 Ethylene glycol 11,12 and glycerol 13 are also being studied for use in fuel cells, but present more complex problems.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Kinetics and Stoichiometry of Methanol and Ethanol Oxidation in Multi-Anode Proton Exchange Membrane Cells

Brueckner

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2017

J. Electrochem. Soc.

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“…Platinum-based catalysts show the best results [60]; additionally, secondary metals are included to reduce the impact of CO poisoning [39,59,61,62]. As previously discussed, the main applications of DMFCs are on small portable devices: battery chargers, consumer electronics, notebook PCs, and portable generators [57,59,63]. Actual challenges for DMFCs marked by DOE include reducing Pt loading, reducing methanol crossover to increase efficiency, simplifying the sideon systems to increase energy and power density, improve reliability, and reduce cost [6].…”

Section: Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (Dmfcs)mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The power requirements for these applications are low, and the cost targets and infrastructure requirements are not as challenging as for transportation applications [6,57].…”

Section: Direct Alcohol Pem Fuel Cellsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Fuel Cell Technologies Office plans [6] include ethanol tolerance for liquid-feed fuel cells operated with fuel blends. The number of patents in DEFC is steadily growing since 2002, which suggests that DEFC technology is still under development and further progress can be expected [57]. The complete electrooxidation of ethanol to CO 2 would make DEFCs useful even for automotive purposes [27].…”

Section: Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells (Defcs)mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fundamentals of Electrochemistry with Application to Direct Alcohol Fuel Cell Modeling

Sánchez-Monreal¹,

Vera²,

García-Salaberri³

2018

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

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Fuel cell modeling is an inherently multiphysics problem. As a result, scientists and engineers trained in different areas are required to work together in this field to address the complex physicochemical phenomena involved in the design and optimization of fuel cell systems. This multidisciplinary approach forces researchers to become accustomed to new concepts. Electrochemical processes, for example, constitute the heart of a fuel cell. Accurate modeling of electrochemical reactions is therefore essential to successfully predict the performance of these devices. However, becoming familiar with the complex concepts of electrochemistry can be an arduous task for those who approach the study of fuel cells from fields other than chemical engineering. This process can extend over time and requires careful reading of many textbooks and papers, the most illuminating ones being hidden to the newcomer in a plethora of recent publications on the subject. The authors, who engaged in the study of fuel cells coming from the field of mechanical engineering, had to travel this road once and, with this contribution, would like to make the journey easier for those who come behind. As an illustrative example, the thermodynamic and electrochemical principles reviewed in this chapter are applied to a complex electrochemical system, the direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC), reviewing recent work on this problem and suggesting future research directions.

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Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell for Clean Electric Energy: Unravelling the Role of Electrode Materials for a Sustainable Future

Bishnoi,

Mishra,

Siwal

et al. 2024

Adv Energy and Sustain Res

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Direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) are better than others in commercially used FCs due to easy availability, less toxicity, and C‐2‐type alcohol. Ethanol has a high theoretical efficiency of 97% and is a safe, plentiful, and renewable resource that can be stored and controlled using the infrastructure that is in place now. Nevertheless, low functional efficiencies and the release of carbon dioxide (CO2), acetaldehyde, and byproducts of acetic acid must be addressed if DEFCs are to grow and become more commercially viable. To overcome these problems, new anode and cathode catalysts are needed, so this review article discusses the introduction of FCs with their structure, working and mechanism. Further, the report covers various types of FC catalysts, and their application in FC technology is explained. The role of the catalyst (such as anode and cathode), similarities and differences between Pt/Pd‐based catalysts, and the importance of supporting materials (such as carbon, transition metal dichalcogenides, MXene, and black phosphorus‐based materials) in DEFCs are described. In addition, the applications, advantages, and disadvantages of the DEFCs are discussed. Finally, the proposed theme is concluded with the existing challenges in this field and the future prospect of DEFCs.

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Applications and Durability of Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

Cited by 4 publications

References 93 publications

Kinetics and Stoichiometry of Methanol and Ethanol Oxidation in Multi-Anode Proton Exchange Membrane Cells

Kinetics and Stoichiometry of Methanol and Ethanol Oxidation in Multi-Anode Proton Exchange Membrane Cells

Fundamentals of Electrochemistry with Application to Direct Alcohol Fuel Cell Modeling

Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell for Clean Electric Energy: Unravelling the Role of Electrode Materials for a Sustainable Future

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