FUEL CELL AND, ITS FORMATION METHOD AND OPERATION METHOD

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel cell using a liquid organic fuel without containing an acid electrolyte.

SOLUTION: An organic fuel such as methanol plus a water mixture is circulated through an anode of this fuel cell; and oxygen or air is circulated through a cathode thereof. A solid polymer proton-conducting electrolyte membrane is interlaid between the anode and the cathode. The electrolyte membrane is made of Nafion reformed so as to impart proton conductivity. A technique for improving the performance of a carbon electrode structure is also provided. A carbon particle/Teflon binder structure having a large surface area is immersed in a Nafion/methanol bath to impregnate Nafion into an electrode. In the manufacturing method of the anode of this fuel cell, a metal alloy is deposited on the electrode from a solution containing perfluorooctane sulfonic acid. The anode shows wettability to the organic fuel. A water recovery device is installed in a fuel circulation system including a fuel tank and a fuel pump to recycle water.

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