Research Projects

Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) are a promising clean energy source, particularly for portable devices. However, their use of Pt-based catalysts has limitations such as high cost, catalytic poisoning, and inability to selectively anodize or cathodic reactions. The formation of CO2 after methanol oxidation is another issue. To address these challenges, the development of efficient electrocatalysts with cost-effectiveness, durability, and selectivity is crucial. Previous works have developed methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts, which have shown better methanol tolerance and durability but negative onset potential. This project aims to develop efficient electrocatalysts for all DMFC reactions, including MOR at the anode, ORR at the cathode, and CO2RR outside the fuel cell assembly. The first half of the project will focus on developing MOR and ORR catalysts, with most expected to be bifunctional. The second half will focus on developing electrocatalysts for CO2RR. The preliminary study found that an onset potential was close to Pt/C, which can be further altered by creating oxygen vacancies and incorporating M-Xene-based catalyst support. Vanadium-based M-Xene is proposed as the catalyst support for ORR, and upon structural reorientation and tuning, it is also expected to function as a CO2RR catalyst. Other proposed systems include alloy catalyst AgxMny for ORR, Pd metallene with Ti-based M-Xene as support for MOR, MOF-based copper catalysts for CO2RR, and engineered copper metallene with heteroatom doped carbon support as CO2RR catalysts. These catalysts will be investigated for their performance, durability, and selectivity. The successful completion of these catalysts and their integration into a single unit is expected to provide a green solution for DMFC for portable applications.