Electrocatalysis of Alternative Liquid Fuels for PEM Direct Oxidation Fuel Cells

Abstract

The direct oxidation of liquid fuels such as methanol, ethanol, ethylene glycol, formic acid and glycerol in fuel cell has attracted increasing interest as power source for portable applications in recent days. These fuels are economically and environmental friendly, exhibit high volumetric energy density, facile storing and handling as compared to hydrogen fuel. Based on their feeding directly and electro-oxidation process, these are termed as direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC), direct ethylene glycol fuel cell (DEGFC), direct formic acid fuel cell (DFAFC) and direct glycerol fuel cell (DGEFC), which are discussed in the chapter. The oxidation reaction of these fuels at low temperature in acid electrolytes is discussed in detail. The various binary and ternary Pt-based catalysts which can ease the oxidation of these liquid fuels are presented with plausible reaction mechanism. The various parameters driving the fuel cell such as catalyst loading, fuel flow rates, operating temperature and the performance in terms of current–voltage characteristics, stability and durability of the fuel cells are discussed including the recent commercial development in the field. Authors also presented their view and further work required wherever deemed fit.