Conception and realization of a direct methanol fuel cell

Objective

Currently, the commercialization of fuel cells is hindered by high component costs. One way to reduce costs, expressed in ECU per kWe, is to increase power density by improved membrane material and higher operating temperatures.

The objective of this project is to design a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell based on a new proton exchange membrane permitting higher cell performance (power density > 250 mW/cm2 at a cell voltage > 0.5V and a current density of 500 mA/cm2) by raising the working temperature to 150 C.


The research programme will combine the effort of three groups to develop a DMFC.
Dispersed electrodes based on bimetallic and trimetallic platinum alloys will be prepared by chemical, radiolytic or electrochemical reduction of the corresponding metallic salts and will be characterized by physico-chemical methods (UHV and electrochemical techniques).
Electrode membrane assembly (EMA) using Nafion 117 will be realized and tested by the University of Bonn. Different parameters will be investigated: catalyst composition, active layer thickness, amount of PTFE and Nafion solution, heat and pressure during EMA formation, working temperature.

Innovision and Solvay will make a screening of high temperature resistant polymers, and modify them by radiochemical grafting and cross-linking of sulphonated groups to synthesize protonic membranes with good conductivity and stability for all participants. In addition, Solvay may provide electron beam irradiation to all partners in order to prepare specific membranes.

Fields of science

• natural sciences › chemical sciences › electrochemistry
• natural sciences › chemical sciences › inorganic chemistry › transition metals
• natural sciences › chemical sciences › organic chemistry › alcohols
• natural sciences › chemical sciences › catalysis
• engineering and technology › environmental engineering › energy and fuels › fuel cells

Programme(s)

• FP3-JOULE 2 - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of non-nuclear energy, 1990-1994

Topic(s)

• 0401 - New options in energy conversion - fuel cells

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

Université de Poitiers

Address

40 Avenue Du Recteur Pineau
86022 Poitiers
France

Participants (2)

Innovision A/S

Denmark

Address

75,lindvedvej
5260 Odense S

Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn

Germany

Address

Römerstraße 164
53117 Bonn