The metal expanded mesh is an attractive alternative to be flow field plate of the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) for practical applications. This work investigates the structural effects of the stainless-steel expanded mesh used as a flow field in a passive DMFC. Three expanded meshes with different strand widths are tested at various methanol concentrations. Effects of its assembly diversity, in terms of two different mesh surfaces and orientations of the opening mesh, are also explored at both the anode and cathode. The influential mechanisms in the light of reactants and products management are analyzed by use of a visualization method. The mesh with a smaller strand width yields a better cell performance at a lower methanol concentration, which performs worse at a higher methanol concentration. Compared with the traditional perforated flow fields, the expanded mesh is preferred at lower methanol concentrations. The assembly mode combining BU at the anode and BL at the cathode is recommended. The visualization tests at both sides reveal the positive effects of above optimal configuration on the reactants and products management in a passive DMFC.

对于实际应用，金属膨胀网是直接甲醇燃料电池（DMFC）的流场板的一种有吸引力的替代选择。这项工作研究了不锈钢膨胀网在无源DMFC中用作流场的结构效果。在不同的甲醇浓度下测试了具有不同线宽的三个膨胀网。在两个不同的网格表面和开口网格的方向方面，还研究了其装配多样性的影响，同时在阳极和阴极处也进行了研究。根据反应物和产物管理的影响机理，通过使用可视化方法进行了分析。股线宽度较小的筛网在较低的甲醇浓度下可获得较好的孔性能，而在较高的甲醇浓度下性能较差。与传统的穿孔流场相比，在较低的甲醇浓度下，优选使用扩展的筛网。建议将阳极上的BU和阴极上的BL组合在一起的组装模式。双方的可视化测试均显示了上述最佳配置对被动DMFC中反应物和产物管理的积极影响。