Direct methanol fuel cell

The direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is a variant of the proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell and uses aqueous methanol directly without prior reforming. In the DMFC methanol is converted to carbon dioxide and hydrogen at the anode. The hydrogen then reacts with oxygen, as in a standard PEM fuel cell. Conventional materials for DMFCs include platinum-ruthenium (Pt-Ru) for the electrode electrocatalysts and carbon in various forms as the electrocatalyst support. Electrocatalysts with high activity for methanol oxidation are essential for improved performance of DMFCs. Such catalysts are generally prepared as unsupported metal colloids or nanocomposites with the metal nanoparticles supported on an electrically conducting carbon of high surface area. Mixed metal Pt-containing catalysts are presently used for methanol oxidation. Researchers at University of Minnesota, U.S.A., have developed a Pt-Ru/graphitic carbon nanofibre (GCNF) nanocomposite which exhibits high relative performance as a DMFC anode catalyst.