Direct Methanol–Hydrogen Fuel Cell

We report a regime of direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) operation. Measurements of local current show that with a lack of oxygen, the cell splits into three domains. Close to the inlet of the oxygen channel, the cell generates current in a normal DMFC mode (galvanic domain, GD). Close to the outlet of this channel, it works in an electrolysis mode and produces hydrogen (electrolytic domain). At a high rate of hydrogen production, H 2 permeates to the GD and contributes to current production, i.e., part of the GD operates as a hydrogen cell. Performance of the cell in this regime is discussed.