This first book to focus on a comprehensive description on DMFC electrocatalysis draws a clear picture of the current status of DMFC technology, especially the advances, challenges and perspectives in the field. Leading researchers from universities, government laboratories and fuel cell industries in North America, Europe and Asia share their knowledge and information on recent advances in the fundamental theories, experimental methodologies and research achievements. In order to help readers better understand the science and technology of the subject, some important and representative figures, tables, photos, and comprehensive lists of reference papers are also included, such that all the information needed on this topic may be easily located. An indispensable source for physical, catalytic, electro- and solid state chemists, as well as materials scientists and chemists in industry.

Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFCs) have been demonstrated extensively as electrical power sources for portable applications. In DMFCs, the chemical energy stored in methanol is converted directly to electrical energy through a number of chemical, transport and kinetic processes. The overall efficiency of the DMFC system can be improved by optimizing these processes with precise control over operating conditions. The goal of this research is to evaluate optimal operating conditions and system design for improving the DMFC's electrical performance through a combination of experimental strategies and process models. A DMFC system incorporating metal foams as the flow field was designed to increase system efficiency. The influence of metal foam parameters and operating conditions on fuel cell performance was investigated. Our results indicated that due to the opposing effects of methanol concentration on anode and cathode kinetics, there exists an optimal value of methanol concentration at each current density that will yield the highest electrical performance. A control algorithm employing feedback from the fuel cell voltage was implemented to dynamically adjust the methanol feed concentration for peak DMFC performance. Additionally, water and methanol crossover fluxes across the membrane were also measured to understand their transport rates under different conditions. The physico-chemical processes in DMFCs were investigated by developing an accurate mathematical model coupling mass transport with reaction kinetics within the five-layer membrane electrode assembly of the DMFC. An experimental scheme was developed to measure the overpotential contributions of anode methanol oxidation, cathode oxygen reduction and cathode methanol oxidation. Subsequently, the kinetic constants for these three reactions are characterized for various catalyst loadings. The model predicted that methanol undergoes electrochemical adsorption on the Pt/C cathode catalyst layer, followed by both electrochemical and chemical oxidation. The overpotential loss due to methanol oxidation on the cathode with 2 mg/cm 2 catalyst loading is as large as 80 mV at 20 mA/cm 2 . Our model indicated that most of the methanol adsorbed on the cathode catalyst undergoes purely chemical oxidation with oxygen and causes mass transport limitations for oxygen electro-reduction. We also found that the transport of methanol to the anode catalyst layer was significantly enhanced by the convection of CO 2 bubbles towards the flow field. This model should prove useful in optimizing the supply rates of methanol and oxygen in DMFCs.

Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Technology presents the overall progress witnessed in the field of DMFC over the past decade, highlighting the components, materials, functions, properties and features, designs and configurations, operations, modelling, applications, pros and cons, social, political and market penetration, economics and future directions. The book discusses every single aspect of DMFC device technology, the associated advantages and drawbacks of state-of-the-art materials and design, market opportunities and commercialization aspects, and possible future directions of research and development. This book, containing critical analyses and opinions from experts around the world, will garner considerable interest among actual users/scientists/experts. - Analyzes developments of membrane electrolytes, electrodes, catalysts, catalyst supports, bipolar plates, gas diffusion layers and flow channels as critical components of direct methanol fuel cells - Includes modeling of direct methanol fuel cells to understand their scaling up potentials - Discusses commercial aspects of direct methanol fuel cells in terms of market penetration, end application, cost, viability, reliability, social and commercial perception, drawbacks and prospects

This book presents a state-of-the-art review on recent advances in nanocatalysts and electrocatalysis in DOFCs.

Direct Alcohol Fuel Cells for Portable Applications: Fundamentals, Engineering and Advances presents the fundamental concepts, technological advances and challenges in developing, modeling and deploying fuel cells and fuel cell systems for portable devices, including micro and mini fuel cells. The authors review the fundamental science of direct alcohol fuel cells, covering, in detail, thermodynamics, electrode kinetics and electrocatalysis of charge-transfer reactions, mass and heat transfer phenomena, and basic modeling aspects. In addition, the book examines other fuels in DAFCs, such as formic acid, ethylene glycol and glycerol, along with technological aspects and applications, including case studies and cost analysis. Researchers, engineering professionals, fuel cell developers, policymakers and senior graduate students will find this a valuable resource. The book's comprehensive coverage of fundamentals is especially useful for graduate students, advanced undergraduate students and those new to the field. - Provides a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of DAFCs and their basic components, design and performance - Presents current and complete information on the state-of-the-art of DAFC technology and its most relevant challenges for commercial deployment - Includes practical application examples, problems and case studies - Covers the use of other fuels, such as formic acid, ethylene glycol and glycerol

"Energy Technology, Physical Electrochemistry and Battery Divisions."

Fuel cells are attractive electrochemical energy converters featuring potentially very high thermodynamic efficiency factors. The focus of this volume of Advances in Chemical Engineering is on quantitative approaches, particularly based on chemical engineering principles, to analyze, control and optimize the steady state and dynamic behavior of low and high temperature fuel cells (PEMFC, DMFC, SOFC) to be applied in mobile and stationary systems. - Updates and informs the reader on the latest research findings using original reviews - Written by leading industry experts and scholars - Reviews and analyzes developments in the field

Fuel cells have been recognized to be destined to form the cornerstone of energy technologies in the twenty-first century. The rapid advances in fuel cell system development have left current information available only in scattered journals and Internet sites. Advances in Fuel Cells fills the information gap between regularly scheduled journals and university level textbooks by providing in-depth coverage over a broad scope. The present volume provides informative chapters on thermodynamic performance of fuel cells, macroscopic modeling of polymer-electrolyte membranes, the prospects for phosphonated polymers as proton-exchange fuel cell membranes, polymer electrolyte membranes for direct methanol fuel cells, materials for state of the art PEM fuel cells, and their suitability for operation above 100°C, analytical modelling of direct methanol fuel cells, and methanol reforming processes. - Includes contributions by leading experts working in both academic and industrial R&D - Disseminates the latest research discoveries - A valuable resource for senior undergraduates and graduate students, it provides in-depth coverage over a broad scope