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Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Durability

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Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Durability

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of performance durability issues typically occurring in the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), in both single cells and short DMFC stacks. The focus of this chapter is on those sources of performance degradation that have been recognized as impacting DMFC operation in a major way (1) the loss of cathode activity due to surface oxide (hydroxide) formation, (2) ruthenium crossover from the anode to the cathode through the proton-conducting membrane, and (3) membrane–electrode interface degradation. Much attention is devoted to the interpretation of performance losses observed during extended operation of DMFCs under “realistic” DMFC operating conditions, including high-voltage cell operation. A separation of the anode and cathode performance losses is attempted whenever possible. Also addressed in this chapter are various methods of mitigating DMFC performance losses, either at the stage of membrane–electrode assembly design and fabrication or in an operating fuel cell.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Materials Physics and Applications Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, 87545, USA

    Yu Seung Kim & Piotr Zelenay

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  1. Yu Seung Kim
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  2. Piotr Zelenay
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Electrochemistry LaboratoryPaul Scherrer Institut, 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland

    Felix N. Büchi

  2. Department Molecular Science and Technology, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe, Kyoto, 610-0321, Japan

    Minoru Inaba (Faculty of Engineering) (Faculty of Engineering)

  3. BASF Fuel Cell GmbH Industrial Park Hoechst, G865 D-65926 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

    Thomas J. Schmidt

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Kim, Y.S., Zelenay, P. (2009). Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Durability. In: Büchi, F.N., Inaba, M., Schmidt, T.J. (eds) Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Durability. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-85536-3_10

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