Anode electrode with carbon buffer layer for improving methanol oxidation reaction in direct methanol fuel cell

Abstract

An anode electrode with the carbon buffer layer is fabricated to increase the performance of direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). The carbon buffer layer is located in the middle of the anode catalyst layers, consists of porous carbon and Nafion ionomer. Since the porous and relatively hydrophilic carbon buffer layer absorbs methanol, the flux of the methanol solution in the anode electrode can be controlled. And methanol crossover is decreased by the effect of the carbon buffer layer. Consequently, methanol can be oxidized more efficiently and the performance of DMFC increases. Therefore, the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) with the carbon buffer layer on the anode electrode exhibits higher open circuit voltage (OCV) and maximum power density compared to those of conventional MEA. Especially with 3.0 M methanol solution, the maximum power density is increased by ∼60%. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.All rights reserved.