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2002
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In the Classroom
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Tested Demonstrations
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A Direct Methanol Fuel Cell
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submitted by Orfeo Zerbinati
Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Avanzate, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Corso T. Borsalino, 54, I-15100 Alessandria, Italy
checked by: Ali Mardan
Applied Chemistry Division, PINSTECH, P.O. Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan
checked by: Mark M. Richter
Department of Chemistry, Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield, MO 65804
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July 2002
Vol. 79 No. 7
p. 829
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| Abstract |
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The construction of a simple direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) for didactic purposes is described. Black platinum catalyst was electrolytically deposited on 0.3-mm-diameter nickel–chromium wire at −0.53 V vs RHE (corresponding to 8 mA/cm2 current) for 30 min from 0.02 M H2PtCl6–1 M HCl aqueous solution. Fifty milliliters of this solution allowed platinization of several dozen electrodes. Platinum catalyst was used for both compartments of the fuel cell, whose electrodes had 2 cm2 of active surface, with 1 M sulfuric acid electrolyte. Pseudo salt bridges, made with 2-mm-i.d. plastic tubing, connected anodic to cathodic compartments. The cell was operated by adding 30 mg/mL of methanol at the anode while bubbling air at the cathode. The device produced 0.7 V potential, with 600 µA short-circuit current. Five of these DMFC elements connected in series could supply an electric clock.
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| More Information |
 Citation |
Zerbinati, Orfeo. J. Chem. Educ. 2002 79 829.
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Keywords |
Demonstrations; Electrochemistry; Laboratory Equipment / Apparatus
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History |
Created:
Last Updated: |
June 17, 2002
March 16, 2005
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| Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues >
2002
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July
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829
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