Browse > Article

Analysis of Long-term Stability of Direct Methanol Fuel Cell and Investigation of the Methods to Improve its Performance  

Lee, Hyun-Sook (Fuel Cell Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology)
Bae, Byung-Chan (Fuel Cell Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology)
Lee, Jae-Young (Fuel Cell Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology)
Im, Tae-Hun (Fuel Cell Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology)
Ha, Heung-Yong (Fuel Cell Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology)
Hong, Seong-Ahn (Fuel Cell Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology)
Publication Information
Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society / v.16, no.1, 2005 , pp. 31-39 More about this Journal
Abstract
Direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is considered as a candidate for portable power sources, that could overcome the disadvantages of lithium battery. But in order to attain commercial viability the long term stability of the DMFC should be achieved. Understanding the long-term behavior of membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) is a prerequisite to this purpose and the optimization of the MEA is also needed. In this study we have investigated the changes in performance and electrochemical properties of the MEA during extended operation and the effects of heat treatment of MEA on the long-term performance. The MEAs have been treated in an autoclave with saturated water vapor at 120$^{\circ}C$, vacuum oven at 140$^{\circ}C$ and boiling in organic solvents. The autoclaved MEA was found to be have the best long term performance. The on-off operation mode also increased the performance probably due to effective removal of products from the electrodes. Physical and electrochemical analyses using a scanning electron microscope, impedance analyser and half-cell technique have been done to characterize the MEAs.
Keywords
Direct methanol fuel cell; Durability; Heat treatment; Catalyst layer; On-off cycle;
Citations & Related Records
연도 인용수 순위
  • Reference
1 T. V. Nguyen, N. Vanderborgh : 'The rate of isothermal hydration of polyperfluorosulfonic acid membranes', J. Membr. Sci., Vol. 143, No. 1-2, 1998, P. 235   DOI   ScienceOn
2 Y. S. Kim W. L. Harrison, J. E. McGrath, B. S. Pivovar. Abs. 334, 205th Meeting of the Electrochemical Society, 2004
3 S. D. Knight, K. M. Colbow, J. St-Pierre, D. P. Wilkinson : 'Aging mechanisms and lifetime of PEFC and DMFC', J. Power Source, Vol. 127, No. 1-2, 2004, P. 127   DOI   ScienceOn
4 S. C. Thomas, X. Ren, S. Gottesfeld, P. Zelenay 'Direct methanol fuel cells: progress in cell performance and cathode research', Electrochim. Acta, Vol. 47, No. 22-23, 2002, P. 3741   DOI   ScienceOn
5 Z. Siroma., N. Fujiwara, T. Ioroi, S. Yamazaki, K. Yasuda, Y. Miyazaki 'Dissolution of Nafion membrane and recast Nafion film in mixtures of methanol and water', J. Power source, Vol. 126, No. 1-2, 2004, P. 41   DOI   ScienceOn
6 R. Jiang, D. Chu: 'Voltage-time behavior of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell stack at constant current discharge', J. Power Source, Vol. 92, No. 1-2, 2001, P. 193   DOI   ScienceOn
7 A. Heinzel, V. M. Barragn : 'A review of the state-of-the-art of the methanol crossover in direct methanol fuel cells', J. Power Sources, Vol. 84, No.1, 1999, P. 70   DOI   ScienceOn
8 A. S. Arico, S. Srinivasan, V. Antonucci DMFCs: From Fundamental Aspects to Technology Development', Fuel Cells, Vol. 1, No.2, 2001, P. 133   DOI   ScienceOn
9 Z. Qi, A. Kaufman : 'Enhancement of PEM fuel cell performance by steaming or boiling the electrode', J. Power Source, Vol. 109, No.1, 2002, P. 227   DOI   ScienceOn
10 W. S. Ho, K. K. Sirkar : 'Membrane Handbook', Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1992, pp. 236-237
11 A. Oedegaard, C. Hebling, A. Schmitz, S. Moller-Holst, R. Tunold : 'Influence of diffusion layer properties on low temperature DMFC', J. Power Source, Vol. 127, No. 1-2, 2004, P. 187   DOI   ScienceOn
12 P. Piela, P. Zelenay, Abstract No. 338, 205th Meeting of the Electrochemical Society, 2004