NACORR - New Alloy Catalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Low temperature polymer fuel cells (PEMFC) can play a lead role in the energy system of the future, as it can be used inter alia in automobiles and for balance of and storage of excess electricity from renewable sources. The roll-out of these cells is today curbed by the costs of the rare metal platinum. Platinum is used as a catalyst on the fuel cell’s negative side (the cathode), in order to speed up the combustion. For a long time, we have tried to improve the efficiency of the catalyst using different alloys of cobalt, nickel and copper and thus reducing the amount of platinum necessary. However, these alloys have proven unstable and are losing their potency over time. We have recently discovered that alloys consisting of platinum and metals such as yttrium, lanthanum and gadolinium are as active as the three above and holds a promise for being more stable during long term operation. Therefore, this project will explore the potential of these new alloys with aims to increase the feasibility of PEMFC-fuel cells.