Sensor application in Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFCs)

Liquid methanol, as an excellent electrochemical energy source, is suitable for developing Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFCs) and is highly promising as a future power solution for the transportation industry. The overall efficiency of such DMFCs is primarily decided by the optimization of the operating conditions. This can be accomplished using high-quality sensors that precisely detect and measure the methanol concentration responsible for DMFCs' efficiency. Lately, several sensing methods are developed for accurate determination of methanol concentration. This paper provides a panoramic overview featuring diversified sensors exploited for methanol content assessments. Based on sensors' operational criteria, physical and electrochemical classifications are made to demonstrate their notable advantages and disadvantages. The introduction of sensor-less schemes in controlling methanol concentration is emphasized. Past advancements, present challenges and future trends in achieving superior DMFC sensors are underscored. Additionally, the significance of nanomaterials in creating DMFC electrodes is scrutinized. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.