Looking forward to consumer electronics and beyond
Mirroring the current uses being researched for use in DMFC (Direct Methanol Fuel Cells), the
Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell (DEFC) could be used in small sized applications, independently of
available electrical source/power supplies, in applications ranging from communications
equipment to mobile phones
，
cameras, laptop computers, power supplies for LED lighting, toys,
low voltage sensors and remote control devices for home appliances.
With more technological progress expected to take place in this field, the DEFC could be scaled
up to address slightly larger electric applications in the future.
7
2. How the fuel cell works:
The Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell produces electricity while ethanol reacts at the anode side of the fuel
cell. Hydrogen protons permeate from the ethanol solution through the DEFC’s membrane,
liberating electrons that are captured in an external circuit.
On the cathode side, the catalytic reaction of hydrogen with oxygen from the ambient air forms
water as a result.
Direct-ethanol fuel cells or DEFCs are a subcategory of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel
cells where, the ethanol fuel is not first reformed into pure hydrogen, but fed directly to the fuel
cell’s membrane.
The mechanism is as follows:
Anode:
(1) C
2
H
5
OH → CH
3
CHO + 2H + 2e
(2) C
2
H
5
OH + H
2
O → CH
3
COOH + 4H + 4e
(3) C
2
H
5
OH + 3H
2
O → 2CO
2
+ 12 H + 12 e
Cathode:
4H + 4e +O
2
→2H
2
O
+
+
+
+
-
-
-
-
8