Direct methanol fuel cells history

Arico AS, Baglio V, Antonucci V (2009) Direct methanol fuel cells history, states and perspectives. In Liu H, Zhang J (eds) Electrocatalysis for direct methanol fuel cells. Wiley, Weinheim, pp 1-78... 

Aric6, A.S., Baglio, V., and Antonucci, V. (2009) Direct methanol fuel cells history, status and perspectives, in Electrocatalysis of Direct Methanol Fuel Cells From Fundamentals to Applications (eds. H. Liu and J. Zhang), Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH, Weinheim, pp. 1-78. 

The fuel cell has a proven history with solid oxide based systems. Recent needs for miniaturization have generated new ideas of fuel sources and structures. These include direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) and polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). These fuel cells have advantages over others for several reasons. A key quality is the potential energy that the fuel sources provide with respect to the fuel costs. 

Despite advancement in the development of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs), some restrictions still inhibit their large-scale commercialization. This chapter has discussed one of the primary constraints, that is, identification of appropriate membrane materials. Nafion membranes that dominate the market of polymer electrolyte membranes allow methanol permeation from the anode to the cathode side of a DMFC. This results in serious negative consequences. Three approaches have been pursued in order to resolve the methanol permeation problem. These include Nafion membranes modification, development of alternative membranes and provision of high activity anode catalysts or methanol tolerant cathode catalysts. All the three options have achieved certain degree of success in solving the problan. Of particular interest are the Nafion membranes modification and development of alternative membranes in which membranes with permeability values of 10 to 70 times lower than the pure Nafion membranes have been developed. In general, based on the tremendous research efforts being made to develop DMFCs membranes with the best qualities, we are optimistic that very soon the issue of methanol permeation shall become a history. 

Abstract In this chapter, we present new insights in direct alcohol fuel cell-related anode electrocatalysis based on quantitative differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) studies. First, we review the history and development of the DEMS technique, as well as the calibration method for quantification. We then discuss some contributions of quantitative DEMS to the study of the mechanism of methanol electrooxidation on Pt and PtRu model catalysts. We also discuss quantitative DEMS studies of the mechanism of dissociative adsorption and electrooxidation of ethanol and acetaldehyde at Pt, Pt3Sn, PtRu, and PtRh nanoparticle catalysts. Finally, the mechanism of dissociative adsorption and electrooxidation of ethylene glycol and its oxidative derivatives on carbon-supported Pt, Pt3Sn, and PtRu nanoparticle catalysts are discussed, based on quantitative DEMS results. 

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