Principles of Direct Methanol Fuel Cells for Portable and Micro Power

Abstract

A direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is an electrochemical cell that generates electricity based on the oxidation of methanol and reduction of oxygen. An aqueous methanol solution of low molarity acts as the reducing agent that traverses the anode flow field. Once inside the flow channel, the aqueous solution diffuses through the backing layer, comprised of carbon cloth or carbon paper. The backing layer collects the current generated by the oxidation of aqueous methanol and transports it laterally to ribs in the current collector plate. The global oxidation reaction occurring at the platinumruthenium catalyst of the anode is given by: $$CH_3 OH + H_2 O \to CO_2 + 6H^ + + 6e^ - $$