Influence of electrode structure on the performance of a direct methanol fuel cell

Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) consisting of multi-layer electrodes provide higher performance than those with the traditional electrode. The new electrode structure includes a hydrophilic thin film and a traditional catalyst layer. A decal transfer method was used to apply the thin film to the Nafion® membrane. Results show that the performance of a cell with the hydrophilic thin film is obviously enhanced. A cell with the optimal thin film electrode structure operating at 1 M CH3OH, 2 atm oxygen and 90 °C yields a current density of 100 mA/cm2 at 0.53 V cell voltage. The peak power density is 120 mW/cm2. The performance stability of a cell in a short-term life operation was also increased when the hydrophilic thin film was employed.