Novel, Combinational Approach to the Development of Cathode Catalysts for Fuel Cells

72814B03-I Despite the benefits that fuel cells bring to the environment and our nation¿s energy independence, they are currently too expensive to be introduced commercially in most markets. A significant portion of the expense arises from the high cost of the platinum catalysts used at the anode and cathode. Therefore, the development and identification of new, higher efficiency, lower cost catalyst systems for fuel cells must be accelerated. This project will develop a novel, combinatorial approach to the development of oxygen reduction catalysts for fuel cells. Phase I will focus on the development and optimization of the combinatorial approach. Once optimized, several new families of catalysts will be screened for promising high catalytic activity. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The combinatorial approach to developing catalysts should be broadly applicable to many potential catalyst systems for fuel cell anodes and cathodes for a broad range of applications in the automotive, stationary and portable power, telecommunications and military markets. A lower cost fuel cell should allow greater market penetration and wider use of these environmentally friendly energy systems.