Electrocatalysis of Direct Methanol Fuel Cells - From Fundamentals to Applications

This first book to focus on a comprehensive description on DMFC electrocatalysis draws a clear picture of the current status of DMFC technology, especially the advances, challenges and perspectives in the field. Leading researchers from universities, government laboratories and fuel cell industries in North America, Europe and Asia share their knowledge and information on recent advances in the fundamental theories, experimental methodologies and research achievements. In order to help readers better understand the science and technology of the subject, some important and representative figures, tables, photos, and comprehensive lists of reference papers are also included, such that all the information needed on this topic may be easily located.
An indispensable source for physical, catalytic, electro- and solid state chemists, as well as materials scientists and chemists in industry.

List of contents

DIRECT METHANOL FUEL CELLS: HISTORY, STATUS AND PERSPECTIVES
Introduction
Concept of Direct Methanol Fuel Cells
Historical Aspects of Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Development and State of Arts
Current Status of DMFC Technology for Different Fields of Application
Perspectives of Direct Methanol Fuel Cells and Techno-Economical Challenges
NANOSTRUCTURED ELECTROCATALYST SYNTHESIS: FUNDAMENTAL AND METHODS
Introduction
Fundamental Understanding of Structure Activity Relationship
Synthetic Methods of Conventional Carbon-Supported Catalysts
Synthetic Methods of Novel Unsupported Pt Nanostructures
Conclusions
ELECTROCATALYST CHARACTERIZATION AND ACTIVITY VALIDATION - FUNDAMENTALS AND METHODS
Introduction
Direct Methanol Fuel Cells - Role of Electrocatalysts
Characterization Techniques for Anode and Cathode Catalysts
Evaluation of Electrocatalyst Activity, Electrochemical Active Surface Area, Catalyst - Adsorbate Interactions, and Activity Validation Techniques
Conclusions and Outlook
COMBINATORIAL AND HIGH-THROUGHPUT SCREENING OF DMFC ELECTROCATALYSTS
Introduction
Common Procedures for Devlopment of DMFC Catalysts
General Methods for Combinatorial and High Throughput Screening
Methods for Combinatorial Synthesis
Electrode Arrays for High Throughput Screening
Other Screening Methods for Catalyst Discover
Combinatorial Methods for Fuel Cell Evaluation and Data Analysis
Challenge and Perspective
STATE-OF-THE-ART ELECTROCATALYSTS FOR DIRECT METHANOL FUEL CELLS
Introduction
Electrocatalysis and Electrocatalysts for DMFC
DMFC Electrocatalyst Characterization and Evaluation
DMFC Performance Advancement via MEA Design
Prospects for DMFC
Conclusions
PLATINUM ALLOYS AS ANODE CATALYSTS FOR DIRECT METHANOL FUEL CELLS
Introduction
Phase Diagram vs. Activity: New Chances for DMFC Anodes
Preparation Methods of Pt Alloys
Activity Evaluation of Pt Alloys
Stability of Pt-Ru Catalysts in DMFC Environment
Conclusions
METHANOL TOLERANT CATHODE CATALYSTS FOR DMFC
Introduction
Thermodynamics and Kinetics of the Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR)
Experimental Details
Synthesis and Characterizations of Nanostructured Catalysts for the ORR
Catalyst Tolerance in the Presence of Methanol
Summary and Outlook
CARBON NANOTUBE-SUPPORTED CATALYSTS FOR THE DIRECT METHANOL FUEL CELL
Introduction
Preparation of Carbon Nanotube-Supported Catalysts
Characteristics of Carbon Nanotube-Electrode
Electrochemical Behaviors of Carbon Nanotube-Supported Catalysts
Direct Growth of Carbon Nanotubes as Catalyst-Supports
Conclusion
MESOPOROUS CARBON SUPPORTED CATALYSTS FOR DIRECT METHANOL FUEL CELLS
Introduction
Mesoporous Carbon
Mesoporous Carbon Supported Catalyst
Fuel Cell Performance of Mesoporous Carbon Supported Catalyst
Summary and Prospect
PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANES FOR DIRECT METHANOL FUEL CELLS
Introduction
Synthesis of Polymer Electrolyte Membranes for DMFC
Conclusions
FABRICATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF DMFC CATALYST LAYERS AND MEMBRANE ELECTRODE ASSEMBLIES
Introduction
Components for DMFC Catalyst Layer Optimization
Catalyzed DMFC Electrode Structure and Fabrication Process
Other Electrode Fabrication Methods for DMFCs
Summary
LOCAL CURRENT DISTRIBUTION IN DIRECT METHANOL FUEL CELLS
Introduction
Model
Bifunctional Regime of DMFC Operation
Direct Methanol-Hydrogen Fuel Cell
Bifunctional Activation of DMFC
Conclusions
ELECTROCATALYSIS IN THE DIRECT METHANOL ALKALINE FUEL CELL
Introduction
History of Alkaline Methanol Fuel Cells
Electrocatalysis of Methanol Oxidation in Alkaline Media
Oxygen Reduction and Methanol Tolerant Electrocatalysts
Direct Methanol Fuel Cells in Alkaline Media
Direct Alkaline Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells
Alkaline Fuel Cells with Other Direct Liquid Fuels
Future Prospects of Direct Methanol Alkali

About the author

Dr. Hansan Liu is a Research Associate at the NRC Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation, Canada. His research interests consist of fuel cell electrocatalysis for oxygen reduction and methanol oxidation, electrode materials for rechargeable batteries, photoelectrocatalysis, and aerosol techniques for nanomaterial synthesis. Dr. Liu has authored or co-authored over 40 scientific journal papers/industrial technical reports, two book chapters, and one patent.

Dr. Jiujun Zhang is a Senior Research Officer, PEM Catalysis Core Competency Leader and project manager for several fuel cell projects at the Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation, National Research Council of Canada (NRC-IFCI). Dr. Zhang has over 26 years of research and development experience in electrochemical theory and application. Dr. Zhang holds 5 adjunct professorships including one at the University of Waterloo and one at the University of British Columbia and has coauthored 130 research papers published in refereed journals and holds over 10 US patents. Dr. Zhang has also produced over 60 industrial technical reports.

Summary

This first book to focus on a comprehensive description on DMFC electrocatalysis draws a clear picture of the current status of DMFC technology, especially the advances, challenges and perspectives in the field. Leading researchers from universities, government laboratories and fuel cell industries in North America, Europe and Asia share their knowledge and information on recent advances in the fundamental theories, experimental methodologies and research achievements. In order to help readers better understand the science and technology of the subject, some important and representative figures, tables, photos, and comprehensive lists of reference papers are also included, such that all the information needed on this topic may be easily located.
An indispensable source for physical, catalytic, electro- and solid state chemists, as well as materials scientists and chemists in industry.

Report

"The book will also be advantageously used as a reference by undergraduate and graduate post secondary students, as well as scientists and engineers who work in the areas of energy, electrochemistry science/technology, fuel cells, and electrocatalysis." (Current Engineering Practice, 1 November 2010)

Product details

• Authors: Hansan Liu, Jiujun Zhang
• Assisted by: Hansa Liu (Editor), Hansan Liu (Editor), Zhang (Editor), Zhang (Editor), Jiujun Zhang (Editor)
• Publisher: Wiley-VCH
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 31.03.2015
• EAN: 9783527323777
• ISBN: 978-3-527-32377-7
• No. of pages: 584
• Dimensions: 178 mm x 246 mm x 34 mm
• Weight: 1276 g
• Illustrations: 270 SW-Abb., 14 Farbabb., 31 Tabellen
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Chemistry > Physical chemistry; Chemie, Brennstoffzelle, Physikalische Chemie, Technische Chemie, Festkörperchemie, Elektrochemie, Katalyse, chemistry, Catalysis, Industrial Chemistry, Technische u. Industrielle Chemie, Batterien u. Brennstoffzellen, Sustainable Chemistry & Green Chemistry, Nachhaltige u. Grüne Chemie, Batteries & Fuel Cells, Solid State Chemistry, Methanol