ROLE OF PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE TYPE TOWARDS DIRECT METHANOL FUEL CELL PERFORMANCE

• Main Author: Yudaswara, Yudi
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Subjects: Kimia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/35384
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) is one of several types of fuel cells that use Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) as a bridge between the cathode and anode reactions. Direct Methanol Fuel Cell performance is influenced by the type of membrane used as a proton exchange membrane. At this membrane being used and also has good performance in the DMFC is the Nafion® membrane. However, these membranes do not have the most optimal performance. In addition, the membrane is relatively has expensive price. In this study the performance of Direct Methanol Fuel Cell was tested by using four types of Nafion proton exchange membrane, Na-CMC chitosan, Sulfonated Polysulfone (SPSF), and Polystyrene- Silica-Lignosulfat 1% (PSS-LSS-SiO2 1%). Each of the four membranes are taken as the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) by slipping the membrane between the anode and cathode size of 3cm x 3cm and then hot pressing process is carried out. MEA from each membrane and then clamped with a metal cutting. Methanol with a concentration of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% (v/v) flowed to the anode by using a small pressure pump while the air flowed to the cathode by using desiccator. Methanol is pumped to the anode for 15 minutes then the pump stopped after it was measured current and potential generated. The best performance of each membrane are obtained by using 5% methanol. Of all the membranes tested, PSS-LSS-SiO2 has the best potential of 356 mV, while the best current density is achieved by SPSF that is 94.67 ?A/Cm2.