A DMFC stack operating with hydrocarbon blend membranes and Pt–Ru–Sn–Ce/C and Pd–Co/C electrocatalysts

Direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) stacks consisting of 5 cells and 20 cells were assembled with low-cost hydrocarbon blend membranes and new electrocatalysts with better methanol tolerance and stability. The hydrocarbon blend membranes consisting of an acidic polymer (sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone), SPEEK) and a basic polymer (polysulfone-2-amide-benzimidazole, PSf-ABIm) exhibited low methanol crossover, high conductivity, and good mechanical stability. The Pt–Ru–Sn–Ce/C anode catalyst exhibited better stability than the commercial PtRu/C catalyst, while the cathode catalyst Pd–Co/C showed better methanol tolerance than the commercial Pt/C catalyst. A maximum power of around 20 W was achieved with a DMFC stack consisting of 20 membrane-electrode assemblies (MEAs) fabricated with the above membranes and electrocatalysts. The results demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing these acid-base blend membranes and novel catalysts for DMFC applications.