The purpose of this project was to develop a better DMFC by reducing methanol crossover and increasing the temperature of the cell. This was done by using a palladium layer on the membrane and a phosphoric acid electrolyte. The palladium (Pd) layer was plated on nickel oxide using electroless plating method. The membrane was then impregnated with H3PO4. H3PO4 was chosen due to its high conductivity at temperature ranges of up to 2000C. Although the fuel cell failed to produce current, Open Circuits Voltage was produced when using a NiO membrane impregnated with phosphoric acid. More phosphoric acid needs to be impregnated in the membrane in order to produce higher OCV. However the NiO proved to be a successful support for intermediate temperature fuel cells using H3PO4electrolyte.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Wambui, Fidelis

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042910-151037

Advisor

• Datta, Ravindra

Year

• 2010

Date created

• 2010-04-29

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright