Performance Optimization of μDMFC with Foamed Stainless Steel Cathode Current Collector

Abstract

The micro direct methanol fuel cell (μDMFC) has attracted more and more attention in the field of new energy due to its simple structure, easy operation, and eco-friendly byproducts. In a μDMFC’s structure, the current collector plays an essential role in collecting the conduction current, and the rational distribution of gas and water. The choice of its material and flow fields would significantly impact the μDMFC’s performance. To this end, four different types of cathode current collector were prepared in this study. The materials selected were stainless steel (SS) and foam stainless steel (FSS), with the flow fields of hole-type and grid-type. The performance of the μDMFC with different types of cathode current collector was investigated by using polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and discharging. The experimental results show that the maximum power density of μDMFC of the hole-type FSS cathode current collector is 49.53 mW/cm2 at 70 °C in the methanol solution of 1 mol/L, which is 115.72% higher than that of the SS collector. The maximum power density of the μDMFC with the grid-type FSS collector is 22.60 mW/cm2, which is 27.39% higher than that of the SS collector. The total impedance of the μDMFC of the FSS collector is significantly lower than that of the μDMFC of the SS collector, and the total impedance of the μDMFC with the hole-type flow field collector is lower than that of the grid-type flow field. The discharging of μDMFC with the hole-type FSS collector reaches its optimal value at 70 °C in the methanol solution of 1 mol/L.