Two modifications to a reference direct methanol fuel-cell (DMFC) system are considered to improve methanol fuel utilisation. Fuel utilisation can be optimised by minimising the parasitic methanol crossover by manipulating methanol concentration in the fuel cells. Simulations of the two systems indicate that there is considerable potential to increase fuel utilisation for dynamic concentration ...

For automotive applications, it is necessary to maximize the fuel conversion efficiency of a PEM direct-methanol fuel cell (DMFC) over the broadest possible dynamic range of power. The research reported here critically examines the efficiency of the DMFC stack when operated over a broad power range. This research establishes a basis for a control strategy that simultaneously: optimizes DMFC fue...

Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) are getting increasing attention as a possible power source for application in the field of power electronics where the energy requirements are relatively small. The major advantage of the DMFC is their high energy density in comparison to the conventional batteries. In this study, the performance of a passive direct methanol fuel cell was investigated under fi...

we report a pd-co (3:1)/graphene oxide (pd3co /go) catalyst through a one-step strategy. go is synthesized from graphite electrodes using ionic liquid-assisted electrochemical exfoliation. controllable go-supported pd3co electrocatalystis then was reduced by ethylene glycol as a stabilizing agent to prepare highly dispersed pdco nanoparticles on carbon graphene oxide to be used as oxygen reduct...

An aqueous methanol sensor for use in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) applications is demonstrated; the methanol sensor is built using dispersed single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with Nafion117 solution to detect the methanol concentration in water. The study is aimed at the potential use of the carbon nanotubes array as a methanol sensor for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). The con...

We report a Pd-Co (3:1)/graphene oxide (Pd3Co /GO) catalyst through a one-step strategy. GO is synthesized from graphite electrodes using ionic liquid-assisted electrochemical exfoliation. Controllable GO-supported Pd3Co electrocatalystis then was reduced by ethylene glycol as a stabilizing agent to prepare highly dispersed PdCo nanoparticles on carbon graphene oxide to be used as oxygen reduct...

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are emerging material class for the past few years due to its tailorability characteristics for various applications. However, the research and development (R&D) of MOFs is still scarce for fuel cell system. This may be due to the several difficulties faced in selecting a good MOFs-based electrolyte, which consequently affects both proton conduction and methanol ...

The direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is considered a viable power production technology for portable electronics equipment (10’s-100’s watts) and transportation vehicles (10’s-100’s kilowatts). Since methanol is relatively inexpensive and a reformer or other fuel processing equipment is not required for the DMFC, this power system has the potential to be low cost, compact, reliable and fuel eff...

Direct fuel oxidization yields major fuel cell power system simplifications and potential performance advantages, particularly for an automotive power plant application. The system simplification is particularly striking when a direct fuel system is compared to an “indirect” fuel cell system in a vehicle (where the fuel on board must be “reformed” and “cleaned” to provide a hydrogen-rich gas “r...

Proton exchange membranes (PEM) for a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) have main drawbacks which are methanol permeability, reduced proton conductivity and the cost of the membrane. This paper reviews different polymeric materials such as fluorinated, non-fluorinated, acid-base complex, and composite membranes for DMFC. Currently, nonfluorinated membranes gain a lot of atte...