Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society (한국수소및신에너지학회논문집)

The Korean Hydrogen and New Energy Society (한국수소및신에너지학회)
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Analysis of Long-term Stability of Direct Methanol Fuel Cell and Investigation of the Methods to Improve its Performance

직접메탄올 연료전지의 장기운전 특성 분석 및 성능향상 연구

  • Lee, Hyun-Sook (Fuel Cell Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology) ;
  • Bae, Byung-Chan (Fuel Cell Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology) ;
  • Lee, Jae-Young (Fuel Cell Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology) ;
  • Im, Tae-Hun (Fuel Cell Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology) ;
  • Ha, Heung-Yong (Fuel Cell Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology) ;
  • Hong, Seong-Ahn (Fuel Cell Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology)
  • 이현숙 (연료전지센터, 한국과학기술연구원) ;
  • 배병찬 (연료전지센터, 한국과학기술연구원) ;
  • 이재영 (연료전지센터, 한국과학기술연구원) ;
  • 임태훈 (연료전지센터, 한국과학기술연구원) ;
  • 하흥용 (연료전지센터, 한국과학기술연구원) ;
  • Published : 2005.03.15
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Abstract

Direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is considered as a candidate for portable power sources, that could overcome the disadvantages of lithium battery. But in order to attain commercial viability the long term stability of the DMFC should be achieved. Understanding the long-term behavior of membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) is a prerequisite to this purpose and the optimization of the MEA is also needed. In this study we have investigated the changes in performance and electrochemical properties of the MEA during extended operation and the effects of heat treatment of MEA on the long-term performance. The MEAs have been treated in an autoclave with saturated water vapor at 120$^{\circ}C$, vacuum oven at 140$^{\circ}C$ and boiling in organic solvents. The autoclaved MEA was found to be have the best long term performance. The on-off operation mode also increased the performance probably due to effective removal of products from the electrodes. Physical and electrochemical analyses using a scanning electron microscope, impedance analyser and half-cell technique have been done to characterize the MEAs.

Keywords

References

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