Abstract
The effect of methanol feed concentration on the membrane-electrode interface was investigated in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs). The membrane-electrode interfacial resistance in direct methanol fuel cellls (DMFCs) has a strong dependence on methanol concentration with increasing methanol concentration leading to higher interfacial resistances for methanol concentrations up to 5.0 M for two distinctly different polymer systems: Nafion (1100 equivalent weight) and a sulfonated poly(arylene ether)sulfone (BPSH-30). Initial interfacial resistances are correlated with resistance increases and performance losses during fuel cell life tests. The results from this study agree with our previous studies on the membrane-electrode interface and suggest that high methanol concentrations can be used to probe interfacial failure in an accelerated aging capacity. Conductivity of Nafion has a high dependence on methanol concentration, while conductivity of BPSH-30 is almost independent of methanol concentration.
Original language | American English |
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Pages (from-to) | B1608-B1615 |
Journal | Journal of the Electrochemical Society |
Volume | 157 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2010 |
NREL Publication Number
- NREL/JA-560-48206
Keywords
- methanol concentrations
- polymer electrolyte fuel cells