Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFC) typically operate using Nafion-based Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEAs) up to 100C. Above this temperature, Nafion begins to degrade, hindering performance. Because temperature improves fuel cell performance PBI-based MEAs were investigated for an intermediate range temperature DMFCs. Nafion MEA performance curves confirmed the relationship between temperature and performance. However, polarization plots for PBI MEAs could not be generated. Despite this, PBI exhibited a sustained current density of 900 mA/cm2 at 0.10 V using hydrogen.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Cox, Philip Andrew
• LaBarre, Christopher B
• Pringle, Margaret A.

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042811-151527

Advisor

• Datta, Ravindra

Year

• 2011

Date created

• 2011-04-28

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright