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Experimental analysis on the influence of cathode current-collector open ratio on the performance of an air breathing direct methanol fuel cell (AB-DMFC) with the addition of alkali solution

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Abstract

Research efforts have been centred on creating potential methods for producing green energy. A viable choice in this regard is fuel cells. Air breathing direct methanol fuel cell (AB-DMFC) is one of the many types of fuel cells, that is becoming increasing popular as a source of electricity for recharging portable electronic devices. The current study examined AB-DMFC performance equipped with various open ratio (OR)’s of cathode current collector (CC) such as 38.5%, 45.4%, and 55.4%. The cathode CC in an AB-DMFC is extremely vital to the operation of the fuel cell since it collects electrons, promotes oxygen flow for the cathode reaction and removes water bubbles produced at the cathode side, among other critical functions. For each open ratio of CC, the anodic fuel is supplied by external components like pumps with a concentration range of 1 M to 4 M methanol. When compared to other two open ratios, the experimental findings demonstrated that CC with a 45.4% OR at 2M of methanol concentration generated maximum power density (MPD) of 7.75 mW/cm2. The next stage of experiments continued with the addition of alkali solution (NaOH) to methanol fuel, and it was found that adding alkali solution to methanol fuel enhanced the MPD of 8.5 mW/cm2 and decreased methanol cross over compared with conventional AB-DMFC.

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Abbreviations

AB-DMFC:

Air Breathing Direct Methanol Fuel Cell

DMFC:

Direct Methanol Fuel Cell

LE:

Liquid Electrolyte

FE:

Flowing electrolyte

CC:

Current Collector

OR:

Open Ratio

MPD:

Maximum Power Density

MCD:

Maximum Current Density

MCO:

Methanol Crossover

MPL:

Microporous Layer

MEA:

Membrane Electrode Assemblies

1-S:

Single serpentine

DC:

Direct Current

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the financial assistance provided by DST-SERB, GoI and TEQIP-II-CoE National Institute of Technology-Warangal, Telangana, India.

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  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Warangal, Warangal, Telangana, India

    Ramesh Manupati & G Naga Srinivasulu

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  1. Ramesh Manupati
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Correspondence to Ramesh Manupati.

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Manupati, R., Srinivasulu, G.N. Experimental analysis on the influence of cathode current-collector open ratio on the performance of an air breathing direct methanol fuel cell (AB-DMFC) with the addition of alkali solution. Sādhanā 49, 168 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12046-024-02477-0

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