Tiled Microfluidic Direct Methanol Fuel Cell with Permeable Gasable Membrane on Anode

Abstract

The invention discloses a tiling type micro-fluid direct methanol fuel cell with an anode having a permeable and gas-exhausting membrane. The tiling type micro-fluid direct methanol fuel cell is provided with an organic glass layer, a PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane) layer and a conductive glass layer from top to bottom; a main micro-flow channel is arranged in the middle of the PDMS layer; an etchingarea is arranged in the center, corresponding to the main micro-flow channel, of the conductive glass layer; the main micro-flow channel is divided into an anode main micro-flow channel and a cathodemain micro-flow channel by the etching area; inlet micro-flow channels and outlet micro-flow channels are respectively symmetrically arranged at the left end and the right end of the anode main micro-flow channel and the cathode main micro-flow channel, a strip-shaped breather hole is formed in a part, corresponding to the anode main micro-flow channel, of the organic glass layer; a carbon dioxidegas diffusion layer is coated with a lower end hole opening of the strip-shaped breather hole; an anode catalyst is sprayed on a part, corresponding to the anode main micro-flow channel, of the conductive glass layer; a strip-shaped air inlet hole is formed in a part, corresponding to the cathode micro-flow channel, of the conductive glass layer; an upper end hole opening of the strip-shaped airinlet hole is coated with an oxygen diffusion layer; a cathode catalyst is sprayed on the upper surface of the oxygen diffusion layer so as to remove a proton exchange membrane; therefore, the cost isreduced, and an anode product can be effectively removed.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to a direct methanol fuel cell, in particular to a tiled microfluidic direct methanol fuel cell with a miniature anode with a permeable and exhaustable membrane. Background technique [0002] In recent years, with the depletion of fossil energy, the development of new energy has become a worldwide urgent problem. Fuel cells have attracted more and more attention due to their high power generation efficiency, good reliability, high specific energy, and low clean pollution. Direct methanol fuel cell is a kind of fuel cell developed on the basis of proton exchange membrane fuel cell, which directly uses methanol aqueous solution as fuel and oxygen in the atmosphere as cathode oxidant. [0003] How a direct methanol fuel cell works figure 1 Shown as: [0004] On the anode side of the battery, methanol reaches the anode catalyst layer through the diffusion layer, and is electrochemically oxidized to generate carbon dioxide, hydrogen ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

In addition to these basic processes, there are more complex transport and reaction processes. The isolation effect of the proton exchange membrane on methanol molecules is poor, which will cause methanol molecules to penetrate across the membrane to reach the cathode catalytic layer (fuel permeation). Under the action of the cathode catalyst Electrochemical oxidation occurs directly, reducing the cathodic potential (mixed potential) and generating additional current (parasitic current) to consume oxygen

In addition, on the anode side of the battery, the carbon dioxide produced by the oxidation of methanol will form bubbles, which will continue to grow, polymerize and form gas bombs as the electrochemical reaction proceeds, which will hinder the transmission of the fuel solution to the anode catalytic layer and cause the electrolyte to fluctuate. Reduce the conductivity of the solution, thereby reducing the overall performance of the battery

Images