Electrocatalysis of Direct Methanol Fuel Cells: From Fundamentals to Applications

This first book to focus on a comprehensive description on DMFC electrocatalysis draws a clear picture of the current status of DMFC technology, especially the advances, challenges and perspectives in the field. Leading researchers from universities, government laboratories and fuel cell industries in North America, Europe and Asia share their knowledge and information on recent advances in the fundamental theories, experimental methodologies and research achievements. In order to help readers better understand the science and technology of the subject, some important and representative figures, tables, photos, and comprehensive lists of reference papers are also included, such that all the information needed on this topic may be easily located.
An indispensable source for physical, catalytic, electro- and solid state chemists, as well as materials scientists and chemists in industry.


Table of Contents:
DIRECT METHANOL FUEL CELLS: HISTORY, STATUS AND PERSPECTIVES
Introduction
Concept of Direct Methanol Fuel Cells
Historical Aspects of Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Development and State of Arts
Current Status of DMFC Technology for Different Fields of Application
Perspectives of Direct Methanol Fuel Cells and Techno-Economical Challenges
NANOSTRUCTURED ELECTROCATALYST SYNTHESIS: FUNDAMENTAL AND METHODS
Introduction
Fundamental Understanding of Structure Activity Relationship
Synthetic Methods of Conventional Carbon-Supported Catalysts
Synthetic Methods of Novel Unsupported Pt Nanostructures
Conclusions
ELECTROCATALYST CHARACTERIZATION AND ACTIVITY VALIDATION -
FUNDAMENTALS AND METHODS
Introduction
Direct Methanol Fuel Cells -
Role of Electrocatalysts
Characterization Techniques for Anode and Cathode Catalysts
Evaluation of Electrocatalyst Activity, Electrochemical Active Surface Area, Catalyst -
Adsorbate Interactions, and Activity Validation Techniques
Conclusions and Outlook
COMBINATORIAL AND HIGH-THROUGHPUT SCREENING OF DMFC ELECTROCATALYSTS
Introduction
Common Procedures for Devlopment of DMFC Catalysts
General Methods for Combinatorial and High Throughput Screening
Methods for Combinatorial Synthesis
Electrode Arrays for High Throughput Screening
Other Screening Methods for Catalyst Discover
Combinatorial Methods for Fuel Cell Evaluation and Data Analysis
Challenge and Perspective
STATE-OF-THE-ART ELECTROCATALYSTS FOR DIRECT METHANOL FUEL CELLS
Introduction
Electrocatalysis and Electrocatalysts for DMFC
DMFC Electrocatalyst Characterization and Evaluation
DMFC Performance Advancement via MEA Design
Prospects for DMFC
Conclusions
PLATINUM ALLOYS AS ANODE CATALYSTS FOR DIRECT METHANOL FUEL CELLS
Introduction
Phase Diagram vs. Activity: New Chances for DMFC Anodes
Preparation Methods of Pt Alloys
Activity Evaluation of Pt Alloys
Stability of Pt-Ru Catalysts in DMFC Environment
Conclusions
METHANOL TOLERANT CATHODE CATALYSTS FOR DMFC
Introduction
Thermodynamics and Kinetics of the Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR)
Experimental Details
Synthesis and Characterizations of Nanostructured Catalysts for the ORR
Catalyst Tolerance in the Presence of Methanol
Summary and Outlook
CARBON NANOTUBE-SUPPORTED CATALYSTS FOR THE DIRECT METHANOL FUEL CELL
Introduction
Preparation of Carbon Nanotube-Supported Catalysts
Characteristics of Carbon Nanotube-Electrode
Electrochemical Behaviors of Carbon Nanotube-Supported Catalysts
Direct Growth of Carbon Nanotubes as Catalyst-Supports
Conclusion
MESOPOROUS CARBON SUPPORTED CATALYSTS FOR DIRECT METHANOL FUEL CELLS
Introduction
Mesoporous Carbon
Mesoporous Carbon Supported Catalyst
Fuel Cell Performance of Mesoporous Carbon Supported Catalyst
Summary and Prospect
PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANES FOR DIRECT METHANOL FUEL CELLS
Introduction
Synthesis of Polymer Electrolyte Membranes for DMFC
Conclusions
FABRICATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF DMFC CATALYST LAYERS AND MEMBRANE ELECTRODE ASSEMBLIES
Introduction
Components for DMFC Catalyst Layer Optimization
Catalyzed DMFC Electrode Structure and Fabrication Process
Other Electrode Fabrication Methods for DMFCs
Summary
LOCAL CURRENT DISTRIBUTION IN DIRECT METHANOL FUEL CELLS
Introduction
Model
Bifunctional Regime of DMFC Operation
Direct Methanol-Hydrogen Fuel Cell
Bifunctional Activation of DMFC
Conclusions
ELECTROCATALYSIS IN THE DIRECT METHANOL ALKALINE FUEL CELL
Introduction
History of Alkaline Methanol Fuel Cells
Electrocatalysis of Methanol Oxidation in Alkaline Media
Oxygen Reduction and Methanol Tolerant Electrocatalysts
Direct Methanol Fuel Cells in Alkaline Media
Direct Alkaline Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells
Alkaline Fuel Cells with Other Direct Liquid Fuels
Future Prospects of Direct Methanol Alkaline Fuel Cells
ELECTROCATALYSIS IN OTHER DIRECT LIQUID FUEL CELLS
Introduction
Electrocatalysis of Direct Formic Acid Fuel Cells
Electrocatalysis of Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells
Electrocatalysis of Direct Hydrazine Fuel Cells
Other Direct Liquid Fueled Fuel Cells
Summary

About the Author :
Hansan Liu is a Research Associate at the National Research Council of Canada Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation. He obtained his PhD in electrochemistry from Xiamen University in 2003, before completing two postdoctoral terms at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2003-2004) and the NRC-IFCI (2005-2007). Dr. Liu has over ten years of research experience in the field of electrochemical energy conversion and storage, covering Ni-MH and lithium ion batteries, solar energy devices, DMFCs, and PEMFCs. His current research interests include fuel cell electrocatalysis, electrode materials of rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors, photoelectrocatalytical materials, and aerosol techniques for nanomaterial synthesis. He has published over thirty papers in peer-reviewed journals, co-edited a fuel cell book, and written four book chapters relating to fuel cells and batteries. He also has three US patents and eight industrial technical reports to his name. Dr. Liu is an active member of the Electrochemical Society and the International Society of Electrochemistry.


Jiujun Zhang is a Senior Research Officer and PEM Catalysis Core Competency Leader at the National Research Council of Canada Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation. He received his BS and MSc in electrochemistry from Beijing University, and his PhD from Wuhan University. After this, he took up a position as an associate professor at the Huazhong Normal University for two years, followed by three terms of postdoctoral research at the California Institute of Technology, York University, and the University of British Columbia. He also holds several adjunct professorships, including one at the University of Waterloo and one at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Zhang has more than 27 years of R&D experience in theoretical and applied electrochemistry, including over 13 years of fuel cell R&D, and three years of electrochemical sensor experience. He has over 220 publications to his name, including 140 refereed journal papers, three books, and 11 book chapters, as well as several patents and nine patent publications. Dr. Zhang is an active member of The Electrochemical Society, the International Society of Electrochemistry, and the American Chemical Society.


Review :
"The book will also be advantageously used as a reference by undergraduate and graduate post secondary students, as well as scientists and engineers who work in the areas of energy, electrochemistry science/technology, fuel cells, and electrocatalysis." (Current Engineering Practice, 1 November 2010)