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A CNT (carbon nanotube) paper as cathode gas diffusion electrode for water management of passive μ-DMFC (micro-direct methanol fuel cell) with highly concentrated methanol

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  • Deng, Huichao
  • Zhang, Yufeng
  • Zheng, Xue
  • Li, Yang
  • Zhang, Xuelin
  • Liu, Xiaowei

Abstract

A novel MEA (membrane electrode assembly) structure of passive μ-DMFC (micro-direct methanol fuel cell) controls water management and decreases methanol crossover. The CNT (carbon nanotube) paper replacing CP (carbon paper) as GDL (gas diffusion paper) enhances water back diffusion which passively prevents flooding in the cathode and promotes low methanol crossover. Moreover, the unique structure of CNT paper can also enhance efficiency of oxygen mass transport and catalyst utilization. The passive μ-DMFC with CNT-MEA exhibits significantly higher performance than passive μ-DMFC with CP-MEA and can operate in high methanol concentration, showing the peak power density of 23.2 mW cm−2. The energy efficiency and fuel utilization efficiency are obviously improved from 11.54% to 22.7% and 36.61%–49.34%, respectively, and the water transport coefficient is 0.47 which is lower than previously reported passive μ-DMFC with CP.

Suggested Citation

  • Deng, Huichao & Zhang, Yufeng & Zheng, Xue & Li, Yang & Zhang, Xuelin & Liu, Xiaowei, 2015. "A CNT (carbon nanotube) paper as cathode gas diffusion electrode for water management of passive μ-DMFC (micro-direct methanol fuel cell) with highly concentrated methanol," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 236-241.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:82:y:2015:i:c:p:236-241
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2015.01.034
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    2. Chen, Xueye & Li, Tiechuan & Shen, Jienan & Hu, Zengliang, 2017. "From structures, packaging to application: A system-level review for micro direct methanol fuel cell," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 669-678.
    3. Abdelkareem, Mohammad Ali & Allagui, Anis & Sayed, Enas Taha & El Haj Assad, M. & Said, Zafar & Elsaid, Khaled, 2019. "Comparative analysis of liquid versus vapor-feed passive direct methanol fuel cells," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 563-584.
    4. Kim, Jaeyeon & Kim, Hyeok & Song, Hyeonjun & Kim, Dasol & Kim, Geon Hwi & Im, Dasom & Jeong, Youngjin & Park, Taehyun, 2021. "Carbon nanotube sheet as a microporous layer for proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    5. Alipour Najmi, Ali & Rowshanzamir, Soosan & Parnian, Mohammad Javad, 2016. "Investigation of NaOH concentration effect in injected fuel on the performance of passive direct methanol alkaline fuel cell with modified cation exchange membrane," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 589-599.
    6. Alipour Najmi, Ali & Rowshanzamir, Soosan & Parnian, Mohammad Javad, 2016. "Study of physicochemical characterization of potassium-doped Nafion117 membrane and performance evaluation of air-breathing fuel cell in different alkali-methanol solutions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 1090-1098.
    7. Oh, Taek Hyun & Jang, Bosun & Kwon, Sejin, 2015. "Estimating the energy density of direct borohydride–hydrogen peroxide fuel cell systems for air-independent propulsion applications," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(P1), pages 980-986.
    8. Xue, Rui & Zhang, Yufeng & Liu, Xiaowei, 2017. "A novel cathode gas diffusion layer for water management of passive μ-DMFC," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 535-541.
    9. Lee, F.C. & Ismail, M.S. & Ingham, D.B. & Hughes, K.J. & Ma, L & Lyth, S.M. & Pourkashanian, M., 2022. "Alternative architectures and materials for PEMFC gas diffusion layers: A review and outlook," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    10. Fang, Shuo & Zhang, Yufeng & Ma, Zezhong & Sang, Shengtian & Liu, Xiaowei, 2016. "Systemic modeling and analysis of DMFC stack for behavior prediction in system-level application," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 1015-1023.
    11. Yang, Chii-Rong & Lu, Chang-Wei & Fu, Pin-Chi & Cheng, Chia & Chiou, Yuang-Cherng & Lee, Rong-Tsong & Tseng, Shih-Feng, 2020. "Performance evaluation of μDMFCs based on porous-silicon electrodes and methanol modification," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).

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