Performing of novel nanostructure MEA based on polyaniline modified anode in direct methanol fuel cell

In this work, a novel nanostructure membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) has been successfully prepared by employing of the polyaniline (PANI) modified anode for DMFC and characterized by SEM and polarization curves in DMFC under different conditions. PANI modified anode made by electro-polymerization of aniline and trifluoromethane sulfonic acid (TFMSA) under galvanostatic conditions on the surface of conventional DMFC's anode. The DMFC test results under steady state conditions indicate that the novel nanostructure MEA exhibits higher performance compared to the conventional MEA in term of maximum power density and resistivity against methanol crossover from the anode side to the cathode side. Maximum power density of 105 mw cm(-2) was obtained by new PANI modified anode compared to 75 mW cm(-2) by conventional anode in the same conditions. The enhanced performance could be attributed to the higher activity of the PANI modified anode and lower methanol crossover caused by the PANI as barrier in the modified anode. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.