An Electroanalytical Study of Methanol Crossover Through Nafion 117 Membrane

Abstract

The proton exchange membrane direct methanol fuel cells (PEMDMFC) shows considerably lower performance than the hydrogen fuel cell because of inefficient methanol oxidation and the crossover of the methanol through the membrane that separates the anode from the cathode. This paper describes an electrochemical method to measure the crossovered methanol for Nafion® 117 membrane in function of the time. The permeation rate is calculated both by electroanalytical and gas chromatography methods at 25°C. The results are discussed.