Organic fuel cell methods and apparatus

Abstract

A liquid organic, fuel cell is provided which employs a solid electrolyte membrane. An organic fuel, such as a methanol/water mixture, is circulated past an anode of a cell while oxygen or air is circulated past a cathode of the cell. The cell solid electrolyte membrane is preferably fabricated from Nafion™. Additionally, a method for improving the performance of carbon electrode structures for use in organic fuel cells is provided wherein a high surface-area carbon particle/Teflon™-binder structure is immersed within a Nafion™/methanol bath to impregnate the electrode with Nafion™. A method for fabricating an anode for use in a organic fuel cell is described wherein metal alloys are deposited onto the electrode in an electro-deposition solution containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid. A fuel additive containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid for use with fuel cells employing a sulfuric acid electrolyte is also disclosed. New organic fuels, namely, trimethoxymethane, dimethoxymethane, and trioxane are also described for use with either conventional or improved fuel cells.

1 . A fuel cell apparatus, comprising: 
 a first chamber having surfaces for containing an organic aqueous fuel therein;    an anode structure, having a first surface in contact with said first chamber, said anode structure being porous and capable of wetting the liquid fuel and also having electronic and ionic conductivity;    an electrolyte, in contact with said anode structure, said electrolyte formed of a proton-conducting membrane;    a cathode, in contact with said electrolyte in a way to receive protons which are produced by said anode structure, conducted through said electrolyte to said cathode; and    a second chamber, holding said cathode, said second chamber including a second material including a reducible component therein.    
   
   
       2 . A fuel cell as in  claim 1 , wherein said anode is formed of carbon paper with an electrocatalyst thereon.  
   
   
       3 . A fuel cell as in  claim 1 , wherein said anode includes a hydrophilic proton conducting additive.  
   
   
       4 . A fuel cell as in  claim 2 , wherein said electrocatalyst layer and said carbon support are impregnated with a hydrophilic proton conducting polymer additive.  
   
   
       5 . A fuel cell as in  claim 3 , wherein said polymer additive is formed of substantially the same material as the material of the electrolyte.  
   
   
       6 . A fuel cell as in  claim 1 , wherein said anode is impregnated with an ionomeric additive.