An improved-performance liquid-feed solid-polymer-electrolyte direct methanol fuel cell operating at near-ambient conditions

Results on the performance of a 25 cm² liquid-feed solid-polymer-electrolyte direct methanol fuel cell (SPE-DMFC), operating under near-ambient conditions, are reported. The SPE-DMFC can yield a maximum power density of c. 200 mW cm⁻² at 90 °C while operating with 1 M aqueous methanol and oxygen under ambient pressure. While operating the SPE-DMFC under similar conditions with air, a maximum power density of ca. 100 mW cm⁻² is achieved. Analysis of the electrode reaction kinetics parameters on the methanol electrode suggests that the reaction mechanism for methanol oxidation remains invariant with temperature. Durability data on the SPE-DMFC at an operational current density of 100 mA cm⁻² have also been obtained.