Nitrogen-doped catalyst technology could accelerate hydrogen fuel cell commercialization

A analysis staff has developed a breakthrough know-how that dramatically improves the sturdiness of alloy catalysts, a crucial element in gasoline cells. By incorporating nitrogen into the alloy construction, the staff addressed the excessive price and low sturdiness of platinum (Pt) catalysts, two main obstacles to commercializing proton alternate membrane gasoline cells (PEMFC) for eco-friendly automobiles.

As world efforts to commercialize hydrogen gasoline cells intensify, researchers are more and more centered on overcoming key technical challenges. Amongst potential options, platinum-cobalt (PtCo) alloys have demonstrated distinctive efficiency however face limitations in long-term use because of their excessive price and durability points, primarily stemming from the simple dissolution of cobalt.

To sort out these challenges, Prof. Jongsung Yu of DGIST’s staff developed an modern synthesis methodology that integrates nitrogen into PtCo alloys. This nitrogen-doping strategy considerably improves the sturdiness of the alloys by stabilizing cobalt by means of cobalt–nitrogen bonding, successfully stopping its dissolution. This know-how not solely reduces the quantity of platinum required but additionally maintains excessive efficiency and sturdiness, paving the best way for the commercialization of low-platinum, high-stability gasoline cells.

The work is published within the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

The newly developed nitrogen-doped PtCo alloy is notable for its ordered PtCo constructions each on the floor and throughout the alloy, in addition to its distinctive structural stability, which is achieved by means of cobalt–nitrogen bonding. Computational chemical analyses carried out by Prof. Seoin Baek of Sogang College revealed that this sturdy cobalt–nitrogen bond will increase the dissolution vitality of cobalt by roughly twofold, considerably enhancing the soundness of cobalt throughout the alloy.

Moreover, the alloy surpassed the 2025 sturdiness targets set by the U.S. Division of Power in accelerated sturdiness evaluations, outperforming present industrial catalysts in each efficiency and longevity.

“Our research focused on addressing the durability limitations of existing alloys to significantly enhance fuel cell performance,” mentioned Prof. Yu.

“By advancing the application of platinum-cobalt alloys with outstanding initial performance to practical fuel cells, we have developed a technology that meets the demands of both longevity and efficiency for hydrogen fuel cells. We hope this achievement will contribute to making hydrogen fuel cells a sustainable energy solution across various applications, including the automotive, marine, aviation, and power generation sectors.”