抄録
Membrane electrode assembly with SiO2 nano particles was prepared. And direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) were constructed. The DEFCs were operated under both oxygen gas flow and normal air atmosphere conditions on the cathode electrode. In addition to the current density, the concentrations of acetaldehyde and acetic acid (intermediate reaction products) were determined as a function of operation time. For normal air atmosphere condition, the concentration of acetaldehyde decreased at the condition of high current, and the fuel cell current also decreased as the operation time increased. On the other hand, under the oxygen gas flow condition, the amount of acetaldehyde, which was the result of proton production, increased as operation time increased. The concentration of acetic acid increased for the oxygen gas flow measurements. The balance between anode and cathode chemical reaction must have the essential importance in DEFCs.
