Direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) performance is limited by methanol permeation through Nafion membranes and interfacial resistances between membrane electrode assembly (MEA) layers. An analysis of several membrane systems showed that Nafion impregnated with Silica nanoparticles and bilayer membranes incorporating two equivalent weights of Nafion exhibited the most favorable balance between protonic conductivity and methanol crossover at high methanol concentrations. In terms of MEA fabrication, spraying catalyst directly on the membrane achieved closest contact between the membrane and catalyst.

• 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

• Gleason, Denise Ayano
• Jensen, Kristoffer Geert
• Painuly, Garima

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042208-005503

Award

• Provost's MQP Award

Advisor

• Datta, Ravindra

Year

• 2008

Date created

• 2008-04-22

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2023-01-20