DMFC with Hydrogen Peroxide Cogeneration

The process of H2O2 generation in the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) composed of the Black Pearls 2000 gas-diffusion cathode, washed by sodium chloride brine or sea water for O-2 electroreduction and the half-membrane-electrode assembly with the Nafion 115 cation-exchange membrane, hot-pressed on one side with the carbonaceous gas-diffusion anode impregnated by Pt/Ru catalyst for methanol oxidation, has been developed. The effect of NaCl concentration in the catholyte, methanol and the KOH concentration in the anolyte, electrolyte temperature, and circulation flow rate on the generated cell voltage, current, and H2O2 current efficiency have been studied in 2 h trials. An 87-95% current efficiency for H2O2 generation with a 5.286-9.44 mg h(-1) cm(-2) rate and at 15 mA cm(-2) current density was achieved in the DMFC with 1 M CH3OH + 7 M KOH in the anolyte and 30 g L-1 NaCl in the catholyte. (C) 2010 The Electrochemical Society. [DOI:10.1149/1.3461161] All rights reserved.