Introduction to direct methanol fuel cells

Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) represent a class of fuel cells that can be categorized under low temperature–operating proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. These PEM electrolytes are mostly made from polymers; thus they are also termed “polymer electrolyte membranes.” The basic function of a DMFC is to generate electrical energy by catalytic oxidation of methanol as a fuel. A DMFC typically consists of a membrane electrode assembly (containing the membrane electrolyte, the electrodes, and the catalysts), bipolar plates, gaskets, current collectors, and end plates. In this chapter, we will provide a brief and generalized overview of the DMFC as a whole, the background of its development, its significance in present day’s world, its working principle, its component features, and its major drawbacks. This chapter also highlights the future expectations from DMFC technology.