Woodhead Publishing Polymer Electrolyte Membrane and Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Technology: Volume 1: Fundamentals and Performance of PEMFCs and DMFCs (Woodhead Publishing Series in Energy)

PEMFCs and DMFCs represent promising low-temperature electrochemical power generation technologies that operate on hydrogen and methanol respectively. These technologies have attracted intense worldwide commercialisation research and development efforts with a large element of these efforts directed at materials developments for fuel cell durability and long term operation. This two volume set presents a comprehensive and detailed review of the fundamentals, performance, and in situ characterisation of PEMFCs and DMFCs. Volume 1 covers the fundamental science and engineering of these types of fuel cell, and reviews routes to understand and improve upon fuel cell performance and operation. Key Features: covers the fundamental science and engineering of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) and direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs), focusing on understanding and improving performance and operation; reviews systems fundamentals, ranging from fuels and fuel processing, to the development of membrane and catalyst materials and technology, and gas diffusion media and flowfields, as well as life cycle aspects and modelling approaches; details performance issues relevant to fuel cell operation and durability, such as catalyst ageing, materials degradation and durability testing, and reviews advanced transport simulation approaches, degradation modelling and experimental monitoring techniques. Contents: Part 1 Fundamentals of polymer electrolyte membrane and direct methanol fuel cell technology: Fuels and fuel processing for low temperature fuel cells; Membrane materials and technology for low temperature fuel cells; Catalyst and membrane technology for low temperature fuel cells; Gas diffusion media, flowfields and system aspects in low temperature fuel cells; Recycling and life cycle assessment of fuel cell materials. Part 2 Performance issues in polymer electrolyte membrane and direct methanol fuel cells: Operation and durability of low temperature fuel cells; Catalyst ageing and degradation in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells; Degradation and durability testing of low temperature fuel cell components; Microstructure reconstruction and transport simulation in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells; Multi-scale modeling of two-phase transport in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells; Modelling and analysis of degradation phenomena in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells; Experimental monitoring techniques for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells.