| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/R82227/01 |
| Title: |
ALKALINE DIRECT METHANOL FUEL CELLS |
| Principal Investigator: |
Scott, Professor K |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Chemical Engineering & Advanced Material |
| Organisation: |
Newcastle University |
| Scheme: |
Postdoctoral Mobility PreFEC |
| Starts: |
01 May 2002 |
Ends: |
30 April 2003 |
Value (£): |
73,638
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Chemicals |
Energy |
| No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The aim of this proposal is to research direct methanol fuel cells which function in a predominantly alkaline environment with the use of hydroxide form ionomer membranes. Solid polymer electrolyte DMFCs have been developed to their current status using proton conducting polymer membranes. Two obstacles, currently inhibiting the application of DMFCs are the relatively low activity of methanol electro-oxidation catalysts and methanol crossover through the proton-conducting membrane, both of which can be overcome by this proposed research using hydroxide (alkaline) conducting membranes. In the case of methanol, if the fuel cell is operated under alkaline conditions, two major advantages could be gained: it appears that the electro-oxidation of methanol in alkaline solution is structure insensitive, and hence other metals (or oxides of) are as active as platinum towards the oxidation, e.g. Ni. The use of a hydroxide form anion exchange membrane will resolve the current problem of methanol crossover from anode to cathode: electro-osmotic water transport from cathode to anode will counteract diffusion of methanol.Our approach to the research of direct methanol fuel cells is based on the deposition of anode electrocatalyst (e.g. Pt, Pd) onto the membrane surface. Electrocatalysts will be either commercial material [e.g. Pt, Pd] or produced in-house by, for example sputter deposition and chemical deposition. Deposition of catalyst onto membranes will be by electrochemical or chemical reduction of suitable cationic or anionic salts.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.ncl.ac.uk |