Progress in DMFC Development Using the Dry Spraying Preparation Technique

A dry MEA (membrane electrode assembly) preparation technique developed at DLR was applied to DMFC (direct methanol fuel cell) MEAs using different preparation parameters. It turned out that for cathode and anode backings with high hydrophobicity the high current density performance of the MEA at low cathode airflow and thus low stoichiometry is better than for backings with low hydrophobicity. The anode reaction layer does not need to contain Nafion™. It has been demonstrated that at catalyst loadings similar to or lower than generally reported, power densities of technical interest are within reach.