Proton exchange membrane future directions

The electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol has been widely investigated for exploitation in the so-called direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). The most likely type of DMFC to be commercialized in the near future seems to be the polymer electrolyte membrane DMFC using proton exchange membrane, a special form of low-temperature fuel cell based on PEM technology. In this cell, methanol (a liquid fuel available at low cost, easily handled, stored, and transported) is dissolved in an acid electrolyte and burned directly by air to carbon dioxide. The prominence of the DMFCs with respect to safety, simple device fabrication, and low cost has rendered them promising candidates for applications ranging from portable power sources to secondary cells for prospective electric vehicles. Notwithstanding, DMFCs were... 

Deluca, N.W., Elabd, Y.A. (2006) Polymer electrolyte membranes for the direct methanol fuel cell a review. Journal of Polymer Science Part B Polymer Physics, 44, 2201-2225. Sopian, K., Wan Daud, W.R. (2006) Challenges and future developments in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Renewable Energy, 31, 719-727. 

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