Au/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals with controllable shell thicknesses were synthesized using a cysteine-assisted hydrothermal method. Incorporating Au/ZnS nanocrystals into the traditional Pt-catalyzed half-cell reaction led to a 43.3% increase in methanol oxidation current under light illumination, demonstrating their promising potential for metal/semiconductor hybrid nanocrystals as the anode ph...

Direct fuel oxidization yields major fuel cell power system simplifications and potential performance advantages, particularly for an automotive power plant application. The system simplification is particularly striking when a direct fuel system is compared to an “indirect” fuel cell system in a vehicle (where the fuel on board must be “reformed” and “cleaned” to provide a hydrogen-rich gas “r...

Polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM) and Pt-based catalysts are two crucial components which determine the properties and price of fuel cells. Even though, PEM faces problem of fuel crossover in liquid fuel cells such as direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) and direct borohydride fuel cell (DBFC), which lowers power output greatly. Here, we report a DBFC in which a polymer fiber membrane (PFM) was u...

Low cost, durable, and selective membranes with high ionic conductivity are a priority need for wide-spread adoption of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) and direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). Electrolyte membranes are a major cost component of PEMFC stacks at low production volumes. PEMFC membranes also impose limitations on fuel cell system operating conditions that add system...

Although they hold the promise of clean energy, state-of-the-art fuel cells based on polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells are inoperable above 100 degrees C, require cumbersome humidification systems, and suffer from fuel permeation. These difficulties all arise from the hydrated nature of the electrolyte. In contrast, "solid acids" exhibit anhydrous proton transport and high-temperature sta...

we report a pd-co (3:1)/graphene oxide (pd3co /go) catalyst through a one-step strategy. go is synthesized from graphite electrodes using ionic liquid-assisted electrochemical exfoliation. controllable go-supported pd3co electrocatalystis then was reduced by ethylene glycol as a stabilizing agent to prepare highly dispersed pdco nanoparticles on carbon graphene oxide to be used as oxygen reduct...

The anode electro-oxidation of methanol is central to the operation of Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFC), which have the potential to become the fastest growing next generation mobile power sources. While Pt and Pt-based catalysts are known for their effectiveness in methanol activation, they are also most susceptible to catalyst poisoning by reaction intermediates such as CO. A second or even ...

High-performance electrocatalysts is critical for enhancing the performance and commercial viability of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs), which hold potential to transform way we power portable electronics off-grid systems.

Micro-fabricated fuel cell systems are a potential consumer product with the promise to outperform batteries for man-portable power generation in terms of the achievable energy density. A great variety of potential devices are being considered in various research institutions and thus there is a need for a systematic product design methodology, including comparison of alternatives and examinati...