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New Plating Method Results in 99% Less Platinum on Fuel Cell Electrode
26 September 2007
Nikkei. Nakajimakinzoku Co., a Kyoto firm specializing in metal plating, has developed a plating process that results in a fuel cell electrode with less than 1% as much platinum as conventional electrodes.
The firm succeeded in developing a new method in which the combination of current strength and temperature during plating can be adjusted in 10 increments, enabling the creation of metal particles as small as 2 nanometers in diameter, one-10th the size of particles made with conventional methods. These particles of different sizes and shapes are then used to form a plating layer with no gaps, preventing contact between the inside metal and the strongly acidic electrolytes.
The company plans to continue improving the plating liquid to make the platinum layer even thinner, thereby reducing costs further. It aims to have the technology commercially feasible in three years.
The high cost of the platinum used to prevent corrosion by acidic electrolytes in fuel cells has been one of the factors keeping the cost of fuel cell systems high. Reducing the platinum content will help lower the cost of the technology.
September 26, 2007 in Brief | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
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One of my main objections to PEM fuel cells has always been that they're basically platinum bricks. We've got enough problems getting enough rare metals for use in catalytic converters. It sounds like this method increases the surface area of the platinum catalyst so not as much is needed. I'm wondering how much this method costs, though.
Now if only we could improve the proton exchange membrane itself so it wasn't so sensitive to humidity and carbon monoxide levels.
Posted by: AES | Sep 26, 2007 5:36:42 AM
If this works, then a fuel cell would require less platinum than a catalytic converter already in use today. Since a fuel cell vehicles do not require a C.C. at all, one of the major hurdles to fuel cells will be crossed. The PEM life can be extended by putting the fuel cell in a serial HEV/PHEV where it can run at constant rate to reduce wear and tear on the PEM.
Posted by: Neil | Sep 26, 2007 9:27:44 AM
