Oil
Nagoya University researchers boost fuel cell catalyst durability
Scientists in Japan have developed a novel platinum catalyst architecture that significantly improves durability and performance metrics for polymer-electrolyte fuel cells.
Key points
- Nagoya University developed the Pt@N-FLG/SWCNT catalyst architecture for fuel cells.
- Laboratory tests showed high electrochemical surface area and mass activity compared to commercial references.
- The material retained nearly 97 percent of its surface area during durability testing.
What happened
Researchers at Nagoya University have engineered a novel cathode catalyst structure designed to improve the longevity and efficiency of polymer-electrolyte fuel cells, according to Hydrogen Fuel News. The material, designated as Pt@N-FLG/SWCNT, encases platinum nanoparticles within layered nitrogen-doped graphene shells while bonding them to single-walled carbon nanotubes.
Details published in a peer-reviewed paper in ACS Catalysis indicate that the composite achieved high performance metrics during laboratory evaluations. The material delivered an electrochemical surface area of 96.3 square metres per gram of platinum alongside a mass activity of 369 milliamperes per milligram at 0.9 volts relative to the reversible hydrogen electrode. These results surpassed those recorded by a standard commercial platinum-on-carbon reference material tested under identical conditions.
Why it matters
Fuel cell longevity remains a critical factor for the commercial deployment of hydrogen technologies in power generation and transport sectors. Degradation of cathode catalysts over extended operational cycles typically limits the lifespan of polymer-electrolyte systems.
According to findings from membrane-electrode assembly testing detailed by Hydrogen Fuel News, the newly developed composite retained 96.9 percent of its electrochemical surface area following 30,000 accelerated stress cycles. Enhancing material durability and catalytic efficiency helps address key technical hurdles facing hydrogen fuel cell adoption by policymakers and energy developers aiming for low-carbon infrastructure.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
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Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
