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A Tortuosity Engineered Dual-Microporous Layer Electrode Including Graphene Aerogel Enabling Largely Improved Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Performance with High-Concentration Fuel

Author

Listed:
  • Li Guan

    (Institute for Energy Research, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China)

  • Prabhuraj Balakrishnan

    (Institute for Energy Research, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China)

  • Huiyuan Liu

    (Institute for Energy Research, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China)

  • Weiqi Zhang

    (Institute for Energy Research, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China)

  • Yilin Deng

    (Institute for Energy Research, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China)

  • Huaneng Su

    (Institute for Energy Research, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China)

  • Lei Xing

    (Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK)

  • Željko Penga

    (Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia)

  • Qian Xu

    (Institute for Energy Research, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China)

Abstract

Methanol crossover is an important factor affecting the performance of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). In this work, a novel membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is designed and prepared by adding a layer of graphene aerogel (GA) between the carbon powder microporous layer and the catalytic layer, which optimizes the methanol transport and improves the output performance of DMFC at high methanol concentrations. Compared to conventional carbon powder, the addition of GA increases the tortuosity of the anode in the through-plane direction; hence, methanol is diluted to a suitable concentration when it reaches the catalyst. The maximum power density of the novel MEA can reach 27.4 mW·cm −2 at a condition of 8 M methanol, which is 234% higher than that of the conventional electrode. The test results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) indicate that the addition of GA does not increase the internal resistance of the novel MEA and that the mass transfer resistance at high concentrations is significantly lower. The experimental results indicate that the output performance at high concentration can be significantly improved by adding a GA layer, and its practicability in portable devices can be improved. It also improves the stability of DMFC under long-term testing.

Suggested Citation

  • Li Guan & Prabhuraj Balakrishnan & Huiyuan Liu & Weiqi Zhang & Yilin Deng & Huaneng Su & Lei Xing & Željko Penga & Qian Xu, 2022. "A Tortuosity Engineered Dual-Microporous Layer Electrode Including Graphene Aerogel Enabling Largely Improved Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Performance with High-Concentration Fuel," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-14, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:24:p:9388-:d:1000777
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pal, Sandip & Mondal, Rakhi & Chatterjee, Uma, 2021. "Sulfonated polyvinylidene fluoride and functional copolymer based blend proton exchange membrane for fuel cell application and studies on methanol crossover," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 170(C), pages 974-984.
    2. Wu, Q.X. & Zhao, T.S. & Chen, R. & An, L., 2013. "A sandwich structured membrane for direct methanol fuel cells operating with neat methanol," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 301-306.
    3. Kim, Jaeyeon & Kim, Hyeok & Song, Hyeonjun & Kim, Dasol & Kim, Geon Hwi & Im, Dasom & Jeong, Youngjin & Park, Taehyun, 2021. "Carbon nanotube sheet as a microporous layer for proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
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