A Novel Design of a Cylindrical Portable Direct Methanol Fuel Cell

Abstract

Novel designs of a cylindrical and a flat portable direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) have been proposed in this research. Experimental cells have also been fabricated. Their maximum power output reached $12mW∕cm2$ when operating at room temperature and with naturally breathed air. The weight and the volume of the experimental cylindrical cell are $27g$ and $30cm3$, respectively, with $7.5cm3$ of methanol inside. Its specific power and volumetric power density are $6.67mW∕g$ and $6.25mW∕cm3$, respectively. The membrane electrode assembly was fabricated by hot pressing the electrodes purchased from E-Tek Co. The catalyst contents are $4.0mg∕cm2$ of $Pt∕Ru$ ($80wt.%$ carbon supported) and $4.0mg∕cm2$ of Pt (black) for anode and cathode, respectively. The new and compact design will make the portable DMFC lighter and cheaper, and bring it one step closer to be marketable.