Catalysis for Low Temperature Fuel Cells

The direct methanol fuel Cell (DMFC) is a low temperature fuel cell operating at temperatures of 30 to 130°C. The DMFC is powered by a liquid fuel (usually considered essential for transport uses) and is therefore regarded by some as the ideal fuel cell system. In this paper, the DMFC is compared to the hydrogen-fuelled proton exchange membrane fuel Cell (PEMFC) which was discussed in detail in the January and July issues. While a typical DMFC is less efficient than a PEMFC, work to improve its performance with new electrocatalyst materials for utilisation in the membrane electrode assemblies has proved successful. This work is described here and some possible commercial uses for the DMFC are also considered.

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