Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC)
Direct alcohol fuel cells
- Some small organic molecules such as methanol, ethanol, formic acid, dimethyl ether, etc. can be used as fuels in addition to hydrogen.
- Liquid fuel is easily to be stored, transported and dispersed.
- Does not require reforming to make pure hydrogen
- High energy density
- High theoretical efficiency (very low equilibrium potential for alcohol oxidations)
- Issues are: sluggish kinetics of fuel oxidations, catalysts poisoning by CO and other reaction intermediates, fuel cross over through the membrane.
Prototype Direct Methanol Fuel Cell made by Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (2018)
- 500 W output
- Efficiency 26%
- Power density: 0.26 W/cm2 at 80 ̊C
Apple (2018)Potential applications
- portable electronics
- mini electric vehicles
- military
