Polyvinyl alcohol/carbon nano-tube/potassium hydroxide electrolytes for direct methanol alkaline fuel cells

Shingjiang Jessie Lue*, Ying Ling Liu, Wen Han Pan

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

This study reports the cell performance of direct methanol alkaline fuel cells (DMAFCs) employing hydroxide conducting membranes. The membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) consisted of carbon-supported platinum/ruthenium for anode, platinum for cathode, and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/carbon nano-tube (CNT)/KOH membranes as polymer electrolytes. The CNT was grafted with PVA chains and PVA/CNT composite membranes were prepared using a direct mixing process and solution casting method. The aggregated hydrophilic regimes of CNT served as hydroxide-conducting micro-channels and increased the ionic conductivity of the KOH-doped PVA/CNT films. The electrolyte with CNT exhibited higher maximum power density and could be operated at a higher current density due to the reduction in methanol crossover. The maximum power density and open-circuit voltage was monitored for DMAFCs at various operating conditions. The effects of methanol concentration, methanol/KOH ratio and operating temperature on the cell performance were determined and discussed with the electrolyte characteristics.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication7th Asian-Australasian Conference on Composite Materials 2010, ACCM 2010
PublisherACCM-7 Organizing Committee
Pages301-303
Number of pages3
ISBN (Print)9781632660756
StatePublished - 2010
Event7th Asian-Australasian Conference on Composite Materials 2010, ACCM 2010 - Taipei, Taiwan
Duration: 15 11 201018 11 2010

Publication series

Name7th Asian-Australasian Conference on Composite Materials 2010, ACCM 2010
Volume1

Conference

Conference7th Asian-Australasian Conference on Composite Materials 2010, ACCM 2010
Country/TerritoryTaiwan
CityTaipei
Period15/11/1018/11/10

Keywords

  • Cell performance
  • Conductivity
  • Direct methanol alkaline fuel cells
  • Methanol cross-over
  • Nano-composites

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