Investigation of Fumasep® FAA3-50 Membranes in Alkaline Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

This paper describes the use of a commercial Fumasep® FAA3-50 membrane as an anionexchange membrane (AEM) in alkaline direct methanol fuel cells (ADMFCs). The membrane, supplied in bromide form, is first exchanged in chloride and successively in the hydroxide form. Anionicconductivity measurements are carried out in both a KOH aqueous solution and in a KOH/methanolmixture. AEM-DMFC tests are performed by feeding 1 M methanol, with or without 1 M KOH as asupporting electrolyte. A maximum power density of 5.2 mW cm-2 at 60 oC and 33.2 mW cm-2 at80 oC is reached in KOH-free feeding and in the alkaline mixture, respectively. These values are ingood agreement with some results in the literature obtained with similar experimental conditionsbut with different anion exchange membranes (AEMs). Finally, methanol crossover is investigatedand corresponds to a maximum value of 1.45 × 10-8 mol s-1cm-2 at 50 oC in a 1 M KOH methanolsolution, thus indicating that the Fumasep® FAA3-50 membrane in OH form is a good candidate forADMFC application.