Direct methanol fuel cell

Direct-methanol fuel cells or DMFCs are a subcategory of proton-exchange fuel cells where the methanol (CH₃OH) fuel is not reformed as in the indirect methanol fuel cell, but fed directly to the fuel cell operating at a temperature of ca. 90 – 120 °C . Because the methanol and water is fed directly into the fuel cell, steam reforming is not required. Storage of methanol is much easier than for hydrogen as it does not need high pressures or low temperatures, because methanol is a liquid from -97.0 °C to 64.7 °C (-142.6 °F to 148.5 °F). The energy density of methanol - the amount of energy contained in a given volume - is an order of magnitude greater than even highly compressed hydrogen. The waste products with these types of fuel cells are carbon dioxide and water.

The efficiency of current direct-methanol fuel cells is low due to the high permeation of methanol through the membrane materials used, which is known as methanol crossover. A new kind of membrane (polymer electrolyte thin films, assembled "layer by layer") has been shown to reduce this problem dramatically. Other problems include the management of carbon dioxide created at the anode and the sluggish dynamic behaviour.

Current DMFCs are limited in the power they can produce, but can still store a high energy content in a small space. This means they can produce a small amount of power over a long period of time. This makes them presently ill-suited for powering vehicles (at least directly), but ideal for consumer goods such as mobile phones, digital cameras or laptops.

Methanol is toxic and flammable. However, the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Dangerous Goods Panel (DGP) voted in November 2005 to allow passengers to carry and use micro fuel cells and methanol fuel cartridges when aboard airplanes to power laptop computers and other consumer electronic devices. On September 24th, 2007, the US Department of Transportation issued a proposed rulemaking to allow airline passengers to carry fuel cell cartridges on board. The Department of Transportation issued a final ruling on April 30, 2008, permitting passengers and crew to carry an approved fuel cell with an installed methanol cartridge and up to two additional spare cartridges. It is worth noting that 200 ml maxium methanol cartridge volume allowed in the final ruling is double the 100 ml limit on liquids allowed by the Transportation and Security Administration in carry-on bags.

Reaction

The DMFC relies upon the oxidation of methanol on a catalyst layer to form carbon dioxide. Water is consumed at the anode and is produced at the cathode. Positive ions (H⁺) are transported across the proton exchange membrane - often made from Nafion - to the cathode where they react with oxygen to produce water. Electrons are transported through an external circuit from anode to cathode, providing power to connected devices.

The half-reactions are:

Anode: CH₃OH + H₂O → CO₂ + 6H⁺ + 6e^-

Cathode: (3/2)O₂ + 6H⁺ + 6e^- → 3H₂O

Overall reaction: CH₃OH + (3/2)O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O

Methanol and water are adsorbed on a catalyst usually made of platinum and ruthenium particles, and lose protons until carbon dioxide is formed. As water is consumed at the anode in the reaction, pure methanol cannot be used without provision of water via either passive transport such as back diffusion (osmosis), or active transport such as pumping. The need for water limits the energy density of the fuel.

Currently, platinum is used as a catalyst for both half-reactions. This contributes to the loss of cell voltage potential, as any methanol that is present in the cathode chamber will oxidize. If another catalyst could be found for the reduction of oxygen, the problem of methanol crossover would likely be significantly lessened. Furthermore, platinum is very expensive and contributes to the high cost per kilowatt of these cells.

During the methanol oxidation reaction carbon monoxide (CO) is formed, which strongly adsorbs onto the platinum catalyst, reducing the surface area and thus the performance of the cell. The addition of another components, such as ruthenium or gold, to the catalyst tends to ameliorate this problem because, according to the most well-established theory in the field, these catalysts oxidize water to yield OH radicals: H₂O → OH• + H⁺ + e^-. The OH species from the oxidized water molecule oxidizes CO to produce CO₂ which can then be released as a gas: CO + OH• → CO₂ + H⁺ + e^-.

See also

• Glossary of fuel cell terms
• Portable fuel cell applications
• Liquid fuels
• Methanol (data page)
• Methanol economy

External links

• Fuel Cell Today. An internet portal of news and articles of fuel cell developments
• Standards for Transportable Fuel Cell Power Units