Comparison of Ethanol and Methanol Oxidation in a Liquid-Feed Solid Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell at High Temperature

Abstract

The electrochemical oxidation of ethanol and methanol in a liquid‐feed solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell operating at was investigated. A composite membrane made of Nafion ionomer and silica was fabricated in order to maintain the advantageous water‐ retention properties of these materials at high temperature. A pressurized cell employing carbon‐ supported and catalysts with a loading of was investigated. The direct methanol fuel cell showed a peak power density of about at and . The power density approached in the innternal resistance‐free polarization curve, and the methanol crossover rate was about . The direct ethanol fuel cell showed a maximum power density of about at and with high selectivity toward formation (≈95%). ©1998 The Electrochemical Society