Direct Liquid Fuel Cells DLFC

using methanol in fuel cells is associated with certain difficulties and inconvenient features  

Methanol is not the only possible liquid reactant for anodes in fuel cells. During the past two decades, parallel to very active work on methanol fuel cells, numerous 

DIRECT LIQUID FUEL CELLS WITH GASEOUS, LIQUID, AND/OR SOLID REAGENTS 

A number of factors are considered when selecting a new reducing agent (i) the new compounds equilibrium potential of its anodic oxidation reaction will influence the EMF and open circuit voltage (OCV) of the fuel cell (ii) the relative rate of this reaction, which will influence the polarization of the electrode and, thus, the working voltage (iii) the price and availability of the substance (iv) the ecological cleanliness and harmlessness of the reactant itself and of its direct and potential secondary oxidation products. 

It is quite natural that all these considerations have led to enhanced interest in the uses of ethanol in fuel cells. A lot of research went into the development of direct ethanol fuel cells during the past decade. 

---

As discussed previously, a number of different materials have been considered as potential candidates to be used as diffusion layers in PEMFCs and direct liquid fuel cells (DLFCs). The two materials used the most so far in fuel cell research and products are carbon fiber papers and carbon cloths, also known as carbon woven fabrics. Both materials are made from carbon fibers. Although these materials have been quite popular for fuel cells, they have a number of drawbacks—particularly with respect to their design and model complexity—that have led to the study of other possible materials. The following sections discuss in detail the main materials that have been used as diffusion layers, providing an insight into how these materials are fabricated and how they affect fuel cell performance. 

In recent years, interest in the development of direct liquid fuel cell (DLFC) has increased considerably due to its advantages easy handling and storing of the liquid fuel, no need for reforming, and favorable power capability for the use portable electronics powered by miniature fuel cells. Most investigators are... 

In direct liquid fuel cells, the use of MPLs is also very popular and most of the details explained earlier also apply to the liquid fuel cells. However, some of the parameters differ from those in PEM fuel cells because there are other mass transfer-based issues in DLFCs, especially on the anode side related to methanol crossover and CO2 production. 

---