Title page for ETD etd-082212-151557

Document Type	thesis
Author Name	Knox, Daniel
Email Address	danieldknox at gmail.com
URN	etd-082212-151557
Title	Performance Characteristics of PBI-based High Temperature Direct Methanol Fuel Cells
Degree	MS
Department	Chemical Engineering
Advisors	Ravindra Datta, Advisor
Keywords	fuel cells DMFC PBI
Date of Presentation/Defense	2012-08-22
Availability	restricted
Abstract This thesis investigates the effect of temperature, methanol concentration, and oxidant type on the performance of a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) using two versions of a commercially available polybenzimidazole (PBI)-based membrane electrode assembly (MEA): the Celtec®-P 1000 MEA of original thickness and double thickness. The PBI-based MEA’s were tested under the vapor-phase methanol concentrations of 1M, 2M, 3M, 5M, 7.5M, and 10M, temperatures of 160-180°C, and oxidants of oxygen and air. It was found that performance increased with temperature and that oxygen outperformed air as methanol concentrations increased. The double thickness PBI-based MEA, was more resistant to methanol crossover and performed better with increasing methanol concentrations. Thus, these commercial MEAs may be suitable for developing higher temperature DMFCs.
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