Effects of the microstructure and powder compositions of a micro-porous layer for the anode on the performance of high concentration methanol fuel cell

Yeong Soo Kim, Dong Hyun Peck, Sang Kyung Kim, Doo Hwan Jung, Seongyop Lim, Sung Hyun Kim

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    27 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    To investigate the effects of the microstructure and powder compositions for the micro-porous layer (MPL) of an anode on the cell performance of a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) using a highly concentrated methanol solution up to 7 M, various powders and their compositions were applied as a filler of the MPL in the membrane electrode assembly (MEA). Several nano- and microstructured carbons such as commercial carbon black (CB), spherical activated carbon (AC), multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT), and platelet carbon nanofiber (PCNF) were selected with different morphology and surface properties, and a meso-porous silica (one of SBA series) was also included for its porous and hydrophilic properties. The coating morphology and physical properties such as porosity and gas permeability were measured, and electrochemical properties of MEA with the MPL were examined by using current-voltage polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and voltammetric analyses. A mixture of different carbons was found to be effective for lowering methanol crossover with sustaining electrical conductivity and gas permeability. A MEA with modified-anode MPLs made of CB (50 vol%) and PCNF (50 vol%) powders showed a maximum power density of 67.7 mW cm-2 under operation with a 7 M concentration of methanol.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)7159-7168
    Number of pages10
    JournalInternational Journal of Hydrogen Energy
    Volume38
    Issue number17
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2013 Jun 10

    Bibliographical note

    Funding Information:
    This work was supported by the Next Generation Military Battery Research Center program of Defense Acquisition Program Administration and Agency for Defense Development.

    Keywords

    • Anode
    • Cell performance
    • Direct methanol fuel cell
    • High concentration methanol
    • Micro-porous layer
    • operation

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
    • Fuel Technology
    • Condensed Matter Physics
    • Energy Engineering and Power Technology

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