DIRECT METHANOL FUEL-CELLS FOR VEHICULAR APPLICATIONS

Dramatic technological advances for the proton exchange membrane fuel cell have focused attention on this technology for motor vehicles. The fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) have the potential to compete with the petr oleum-fueled internal combustion engine Vehicles (ICEVs) in cost and p erformance while effectively addressing air quality, energy insecurity , and global warming concerns. Methanol being a liquid can be easily t ransported and can be supplied from the existing network of oil compan y distribution sites. Recently, combining improved catalysts with fuel cell engineering, it has been possible to overcome some of the diffic ulties that have frustrated previous research and development efforts in realizing a commercially viable direct methanol fuel cell. Direct m ethanol fuel cells (DMFCs) with power densities between 0.2 and 0.4 W/ cm(2) at operational temperatures in the range 95-130 degrees C have b een developed. These power densities are sufficient to suggest that st ack construction is well worth while. This paper reviews recent advanc es and technical challenges in the field of DMFCs.