Reduction in the Instability of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Platinum Catalyst
The Problem
Industries like heavy-duty transportation, for which fuel cell electric vehicles provide inherent advantages over battery electric vehicles due to high weight and energy requirements, often utilize hydrogen polymer electrolyte fuel cells (H2-PEFCs). Such H2-PEFCs often utilize platinum catalysts to catalyze redox reactions at the fuel cell cathode, but platinum group metals are unstable for long cycling operations and lose the ability to catalyze redox reactions effectively after >100k cycles/
The Solution
Researchers at the University of Tennessee have developed a method to extend the lifetime of PEFCs by between 50 and 200% in vehicle applications. The method does so by implementing a novel "load sharing" approach between the air and hydrogen sides of the fuel cell to balance out relative levels of catalyst degradation and extend the operational lifetime of the cell.
Benefits
| Benefit |
|---|
| Will result in between 50% and 200% extended operational lifetime of the fuel cell in vehicle applications. |
| Negligible change in open circuit voltage after 400 hours of operation (147mV improvement over traditional design). |
| Negligible voltage crossover increase after 400 hours of operation (155 mA/cm^2 improvement over traditional design). |
More Information
- Gregory Sechrist
- Technology Manager
- 865-974-1882 | gsechris@tennessee.edu
- UTRF Reference ID: 24037
- Patent Status:
Innovators
Preetam Sharma Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Dr. Sharma’s work focuses on advancing sustainable energy technologies, specializing in designing, developing, and optimizing next-generation electrochemical systems, including hydrogen fuel cells, metal-air, lithium-ion, redox-flow batteries, and water electrolyzers.
Dr. Sharma’s work focuses on advancing sustainable energy technologies, specializing in designing, developing,...
Matthew Mench, Ph.D.
Dean, Tickle College of Engineering, Condra Chair, and Chancellor’s Professor
Dr. Mench is an internationally recognized authority in electrochemical power conversion and storage, his expertise encompasses polymer electrolyte fuel cells, flow battery systems, biological energy systems, multi-phase transport and visualization, computational simulations of electrochemical and power conversion and energy systems, and electrochemical methods of hazardous waste conversion.
Dr. Mench is an internationally recognized authority in electrochemical power conversion and storage, his expe...
Doug Aaron, Ph.D.
Assistant Department Head, Undergraduate Programs, Research Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Dr. Aaron’s research specializes in redox flow battery diagnostics, high energy density batteries, low-temperature fuel cells and electrolyzers, and other large electrochemical energy storage technologies.
Dr. Aaron’s research specializes in redox flow battery diagnostics, high energy density batteries, low-tempera...
