Investigation of anode flow field for direct dimethyl ether fuel cell

In this work, we presented the novel anode flow field for direct dimethyl ether fuel cell (DDFC). The anode flow field of the DDFC consisted of hydrophilic, hydrophobic, and diffusion region (with a ratio of region areas of 3:6:1). The maximum power density of the DDFC with novel anode flow field was 67 mW cm−2, which was higher than that of the cell fed with conventional flow field (60 mW cm−2). The electrochemical impedance spectra analyses revealed that the mass transfer resistance of novel anode flow field was lower than that of conventional flow field. The constant current operation curves showed that the performance decay ratio of the novel anode flow field was lower than that of conventional one. It indicated that the novel flow field benefited the long-term operation of DDFC.

► The flow field is consisted of hydrophilic, hydrophobic and diffusion region.
► The novel flow field decreases the mass transfer resistance.
► The novel flow field increases the utilization of DME fuel.
► The maximum power density of the DDFC can reach 67 mW cm−2.