Research Strategies for Development of an Efficient and Effective Electrocatalyst for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells and Progress Summary
- ORNL
- Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
- U.S. Department of Energy
The current electrocatalyst formulation for the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), platinum supported on carbon (Pt/C), is known to be an effective promoter of redox reactions in fuel cells. However, the cost of Pt (currently ~$2,000/troy ounce) hinders its use as a practical catalyst in commercial fuel cell-powered vehicles at current platinum loading. Another issue with respect to adoption of any electrocatalyst for vehicle applications is durability, especially in light of transportation drive cycle operation with start/stop, start-up/shut-down, and transient requirements. Thus, a robust alternative to current Pt/C technology is needed as the PEMFC electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on the cathode. The U.S. Department of Energy is funding cathode catalyst research on low-platinum group metal (PGM) catalysts, including alloys and core-shell systems, and on non-PGM catalysts. This paper provides an overview of the issues, approaches, and status of the research.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC05-00OR22725
- OSTI ID:
- 945345
- Journal Information:
- Electrochemical Society Transactions, Vol. 16, Issue 2
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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