A Novel Mixed Metal Oxide Supported Catalyst System for Improved Fuel Cell Oxygen Reduction Reactions

For fuel cell technology to become viable, electrocatalysts must efficiently utilize precious metals, in order to achieve low precious metal loadings. In addition, the catalysts must have a long operating life to keep replacement costs down. Current catalysts, based on loading platinum on high-surface-area carbon supports, have not demonstrated the long term stability necessary to meet future demands. This project will develop an oxide-based support that will provide greater stability, conductivity, and catalytic activity compared to the current state of the art. In Phase I, a catalyst with a novel oxide-based support was developed. The catalyst demonstrated enhanced performance and excellent activity at lower humidity levels than commercial state-of-the-art, carbon-supported platinum catalysts with similar platinum loadings. In Phase II, the catalyst formulations will be redesigned with the goals of reducing the precious metal content and increasing the surface area and conductivity of the catalyst and support. These changes will lead to additional gains in platinum utilization. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The technology should lower the cost of the catalytic component of proton exchange membrane fuel cells in two ways: (1) by lowering the levels of the costly precious metals, and (2) by extending the lifetime of the fuel cell systems that use these catalysts. The fuel cell systems could be used for transport power (both cars and trucks), for portable power systems to furnish longer operation times (e.g., cell phones, laptop computers, or camera systems), and for stationary power systems.