An Overview on the Application of Conducting Polymers in Direct Methanol Fuel Cells to Improve their Performance

Direct methanol fuel cells, because of their environmental compatibility and relatively high power density, are promising alternative for future energy needs. However they have some disadvantages such as high methanol cross-over through the cell membrane and low performance in lower humidity conditions that limit their applications. Electrically conducting polymers such as polyaniline and polypyrrole have been used for the modification of membrane and catalyst layer in direct methanol fuel cells. Studies have shown that using of these materials can improve the cell performance by reduction of methanol cross-over through the membrane, improvement of operation at lower humidity conditions and improvement of the mechanical strength and catalyst layer properties. In this paper the studies, made on the application of conducting polymers especially polyaniline and polypyrrole in direct methanol fuel cells have been reviewed.