Electrochemical reforming of dimethoxymethane in a Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolysis Cell: A way to generate clean hydrogen for low temperature fuel cells

Abstract

The electro-oxidation of dimethoxymethane (DMM), leading to the generation of clean hydrogen, was carried out at a PtRu anode for several concentrations and different temperatures in a Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolysis Cell, based on a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell configuration.At given concentrations of DMM (0.5–4 M) and cell temperatures (25–85 °C) the quantity of produced hydrogen and the voltage of the electrolysis cell were recorded as a function of time for any current intensity used (from 5 to 800 mA). The cell voltage stabilizes after 15 min and never exceeds 0.50 V corresponding to electrical energy consumption lower than 1.1 kWh (Nm3)−1.The quantity of hydrogen produced is a linear function of the current density and of the electrolysis time, i.e. of the quantity of electricity consumed in the electro-oxidation reaction. Therefore the quantity of hydrogen produced at a given electrolysis time (15 min here) depends only on the current intensity, regardless of the DMM concentration, the cell voltage and its temperature. On the other hand the electrical energy consumed is proportional to the cell voltage, so that it greatly depends on the kinetics of the anodic reaction at a given current density.