Performance of a direct methanol polymer electrolyte fuel cell

The performance of a direct methanol fuel cell based on a polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyte was investigated. Pt–Ru/C (60 wt.%) and Pt/C (60 wt.%) catalysts were employed for methanol oxidation and oxygen reduction, respectively. Morphology of the catalysts was investigated using X-ray powder diffraction, electron diffraction patterns and transmission electron microscopy. I–V characteristics of the fuel cell were tested by changing the methanol concentration, temperature, and Nafion types as a polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyte. The performance of the single cell was enhanced by increasing cell temperature. High cell voltage was obtained from 2.5 M methanol. The cell fabricated with Nafion 112 membranes with a current density of 230 mA/cm2 at 0.55 V was obtained from 2.5 M methanol. Heat-treating of the Pt-Ru/C catalyst at 500°C for 4 h affected the performance of the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) single cell resulting in particle agglomeration and crystal growth.