Novel Flow Field with Superhydrophobic Gas Channels Prepared by One-step Solvent-induced Crystallization for Micro Direct Methanol Fuel Cell

Abstract

The CO 2 -induced capillary blocking in anode flow field is one of the key adverse factors to reduce the performance of a micro-direct methanol fuel cell (lDMFC). In order to solve this problem, new polycarbonate (PC) flow field plates with nested arrangement of hydrophilic fuel channels and superhydrophobic gas channels were designed, fabricated, and tested in this work. The gas channels were treated with solvent-induced crystallization using acetone solution. The superhydrophobicity with 160°water contact angle and 2°tilting angle was obtained on the PC substrates. A dummy cell using hydrogen peroxide decomposition reaction and a test loop were separately set up to evaluate the flow fields' performance. It was found that a 37 % pressure drop decrease can be obtained in the new serpentine flow field compared with that of the conventional one. The benefit of the new flow field to remove gas bubbles was also confirmed by an in situ visualization study on the dummy cell. Results show that the auxiliary superhydrophobic gas channels can speed up the discharge of the gas bubbles from the flow field, which will in turn improve the lDMFC performance.

Novel Co3O4 Nanoparticles/Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Composites with Extraordinary Catalytic Activity for Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER)

“…Depletion of fossil fuels and the rapidly growing energy demands have necessitated the development of sustainable energy conversion and storage systems such as metal–air batteries, water splitting devices, and fuel cells [ 1 – 4 ]. The development of durable, highly efficient, low-cost, and eco-friendly electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is crucial for the commercial application of these renewable energy technologies [ 5 , 6 ].…”

Self-Decoration of PtNi Alloy Nanoparticles on Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes for Highly Efficient Methanol Electro-Oxidation

“…To satisfy increasing demands in energy and overcome issues of environment pollution, researches on sustainable and renewable energy which may replace traditional fossil fuels have become hot topics. Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs), a green power sources in vehicles and portable devices, have gained wide attentions [ 1 – 3 ]. Methanol as fuel has numerous advantages: simplicity in handling, storage, and transport; low cost and renewability because it can be easily obtained from fermentation of agricultural products [ 4 – 6 ].…”

Micro direct methanol fuel cell: functional components, supplies management, packaging technology and application

“…Liang et al . designed new polycarbonate flow field plates with nested arrangement of hydrophilic fuel channels and superhydrophobic gas channels . Yang et al .…”

“…A great quantity of work has been carried out for improving the design of the flow field plate. Liang et al designed new polycarbonate flow field plates with nested arrangement of hydrophilic fuel channels and superhydrophobic gas channels [5]. Yang et al designed and fabricated single serpentine and parallel flow fields with different sizes.…”