Examining Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Difficulties and Current Situation

Abstract

As one of the most promising energy sources in renewable energy, the Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) has been used from the beginning for a variety of appliances, including stationary and portable electrical applications. Its polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell technology is the sole basis for its ion or proton conducting electrolyte. Their primary benefit is the ease with which methanol fuel and energy-dense stable liquid may be transported in any kind of environment. Additional benefits include reduced fuel production costs, less flammability risk, and improved energy supply and security. It does not produce sulfur, nitrogen, or other harmful gases, but it does make carbon and hydrogen oxides.

By addressing issues such as performance influence on operating temperature and pressure parameters, stacking, methanol and water cross over, current collectors, gasket and supporting plate optimization, cathode channel configuration, and experiments on portable power supply sources and multi-anodes over the last 15 years, from 2005 onward to 2019, this review paper brought out improvements of DMFC from the primitive to the present stage with the ultimate goal of improving the overall performance of the DMFC. Additionally, it identifies research gaps for next projects.