Proton-conducting electrolytes for direct methanol and direct urea fuel cells – A state-of-the-art review

This review focuses on the protonic/superprotonic electrolytes used for application in direct methanol and direct urea/urine fuel cells. Since, methanol has high energy density, which is essential for portable direct methanol fuel cells, and is simpler to store and transport than conventional hydrogen as fuel. However, methanol is not readily available, which makes waste an attractive option as a fuel source, resulting in the development of direct urea fuel cells. Fuel cells that use waste that contains hydrogen, like waste water or urine, are attractive because of their potential to generate energy from low-cost, abundant sources.

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