Methanol Sensor Operative in Wide Range of Fuel Concentration and Temperature with Fast Response

摘要

An electrochemical methanol sensor for monitoring the fuel concentration in direct methanol fuel cells was constructed using a thin composite membrane as the electrolyte. The 6 MU M thick composite membranes were prepared by impregnating porous polyethylene-terephthalate film with Nafion ionomer. The resulting sensor is capable of monitoring the fuel in any concentration up to pure methanol. This can be accomplished by placing a palladium film at the interface between the anode and the membrane. The sensor is also operative even at ambient temperature and responds quickly to concentration changes, i.e., in less than 2 s.