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Title: Novel process for improved long-term stability of DMFC membrane-electrode assemblies.

Abstract

In this work, we introduce a new process for fabrication of Nafion(reg. sign)-based membrane-electrode assemblies for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). The process relies on modified formulation of catalyst inks and high-temperature treatment of the MEA, both leading to improved long-term performance stability relative to standard MEAs used in DMFC testing at LANL. Unrecoverable performance loss of the novel MEA after 3000-hour life test at a cell voltage of 0.50 V has been estimated to be {approx}10 mV (at 100 mA cm{sup -2}). This number compares favorably with the performance loss of standard MEA, measured at {approx} 60 mV under the same conditions. Most of the gains are due to improved prope rties of the Pt-Ru anode. In particular, better stability of the anode helps to reduce loss in the catalyst surface area over time, providing net performance gain of 25-30 mV over the standard anode. Improved anode stability also reflects on long-term performance of the cathode thanks to reduced methanol crossover at long operating times of the cell ({approx} 15 mV gain).

Authors:
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [4];  [5]
  1. Christine
  2. Geraldine M.
  3. Yu Seung
  4. Bryan Scott
  5. Piotr
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
977935
Report Number(s):
LA-UR-04-8260
Journal ID: ISSN 0161--6374; TRN: US201012%%822
Resource Type:
Conference
Resource Relation:
Journal Volume: 2004-21; Journal Issue: 1; Conference: Submitted to: ECS Proceedings Journal, 206th Electrochemical Society Meeting, Honolulu, Hawaii
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
10 SYNTHETIC FUELS; 30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION; ANODES; CATALYSTS; CATHODES; DIRECT METHANOL FUEL CELLS; FABRICATION; LANL; METHANOL; PERFORMANCE; STABILITY; SURFACE AREA; TESTING; Direct methanol fuel cell; DMFC; performance; performance durability

Citation Formats

Hamon, C, Purdy, G M, Kim, Y S, Pivovar, B S, and Zelenay, P. Novel process for improved long-term stability of DMFC membrane-electrode assemblies.. United States: N. p., 2004. Web. doi:10.1149/200421.0352PV.
Hamon, C, Purdy, G M, Kim, Y S, Pivovar, B S, & Zelenay, P. Novel process for improved long-term stability of DMFC membrane-electrode assemblies.. United States. https://doi.org/10.1149/200421.0352PV
Hamon, C, Purdy, G M, Kim, Y S, Pivovar, B S, and Zelenay, P. 2004. "Novel process for improved long-term stability of DMFC membrane-electrode assemblies.". United States. https://doi.org/10.1149/200421.0352PV. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/977935.
@article{osti_977935,
title = {Novel process for improved long-term stability of DMFC membrane-electrode assemblies.},
author = {Hamon, C and Purdy, G M and Kim, Y S and Pivovar, B S and Zelenay, P},
abstractNote = {In this work, we introduce a new process for fabrication of Nafion(reg. sign)-based membrane-electrode assemblies for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). The process relies on modified formulation of catalyst inks and high-temperature treatment of the MEA, both leading to improved long-term performance stability relative to standard MEAs used in DMFC testing at LANL. Unrecoverable performance loss of the novel MEA after 3000-hour life test at a cell voltage of 0.50 V has been estimated to be {approx}10 mV (at 100 mA cm{sup -2}). This number compares favorably with the performance loss of standard MEA, measured at {approx} 60 mV under the same conditions. Most of the gains are due to improved prope rties of the Pt-Ru anode. In particular, better stability of the anode helps to reduce loss in the catalyst surface area over time, providing net performance gain of 25-30 mV over the standard anode. Improved anode stability also reflects on long-term performance of the cathode thanks to reduced methanol crossover at long operating times of the cell ({approx} 15 mV gain).},
doi = {10.1149/200421.0352PV},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/977935}, journal = {},
issn = {0161--6374},
number = 1,
volume = 2004-21,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2004},
month = {Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2004}
}

Conference:
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