Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) is considered as a candidate technology for applications in stationary, transportation as well as electronic power generation purposes. To develop a high performance direct methanol fuel cell(DMFC), a competent electrolyte membrane is needed. The electrolyte membrane should be durable and methanol crossover must be low. One of the approaches to increase the stability of generally used polymer electrolyte membranes such as Nafion against swelling or thermal degradation is to bond it with an inorganic material physically or chemically. In Noritake Company, we have developed a novel method of reinforcing the polymer electrolyte matrix with inorganic fibers. Methanol crossover values measured were significantly lower than the original polymer electrolyte membranes. These fiber reinforced electrolyte membranes (FREM) were used for DMFC study and stable power output values as high 160 mW/cm2 were measured. The details of the characteristics of the membranes as well as I-V data of fuel cell stacks are detailed in the paper.

The simulated dyes solution containing Basic Red 46(BR 46), Yellow 21(Y 21), and Maxilon Blue 30(MB 30) were electrochemically oxidized using carbon fiber as an anode. The electrolyses were performed in a electrolytic flow cell constructed by Vycor glass tube. The carbon fiber was positioned in the inside of Vycor glass tube and platinum wire coiled around outside of tube as a cathode. Several operating variables, such as current, time, pH and flow rate of solution were studied. Increasing current density would lead to a corresponding increase in the dye removal efficiency 99.2 % at a 200 mA. The electrolyses time could also improve and removal efficiency was about 99 % after 1.5 hours of electrolyses. The removal efficiency was increased with the increase of flow rate of solution and optimum flow rate was 5 mL/min. THe pHs of solution affect the removal efficiency. The removal efficiency was decreased with the increase of pH of solution and optimum pH was 5.05 (0.1 M KNO3).