A kinetic model for the direct methanol fuel cell anode based on surface coverage

Abstract

Analytical models for the modelling of the anode of a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) using steady state approximation theory are developed in this paper. The kinetic models are temperature dependent and effectively describe the surface coverage of all the intermediate species involved in methanol oxidation using a dual site mechanism. The models are validated using experimental data for various methanol concentrations and temperatures for a conventional porous anode. The models can be applied for the predictions of the performance of the electrode and the behaviour of surface coverage of intermediates as a function of cell temperature, anode potential and methanol concentration and can be used for the physiochemical analysis of the DMFC.