Author : Monika Sajgure, Bhalchandra Kachare, Prashant Gawhale, Suraj Waghmare, and Ganesh Jagadale

Direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is considered as a highly promising power source. It is based on polymer electrolytes membrane (PEM) fuel cell technology. It poses a number of advantages such as a liquid fuel, quick refueling, low cost of methanol and the compact cell, design making it suitable for various potential applications including stationary and portable applications. DMFCs are also environmental friendly. Although carbon dioxide is produced, there is no production of sulphur or nitrogen oxides. The most important are the low power density caused by the slow electrochemical methanol oxidation at the anode and methanol crossover through PEM, which is responsible for inhibiting the activity of the cathode catalyst as well. With the eventual goal of improving the overall performance of the DMFC, this study has been concerned with an investigation of the issues and effect of various parameters on its performance.

Keywords: DMFC, power source, environment friendly, PEM, Catalyst, issues