KIST improved corrosion problems of hydrogen powered car fuel cell

Developed 3-dimensional nano structure electrode utilizing ultra-fine printing technology / Secured cost efficiency by increasing durability of catalyst and decreasing platinum usage

News provided by wipnews
2021-09-08 14:56:20 KST language
Mimetic diagram of steel frame shaped multiscale platinum nano architecture electrode [Photo provided = KIST]

Mimetic diagram of steel frame shaped multiscale platinum nano architecture electrode [Photo provided = KIST]

Global warming is causing climate problem. To alleviate it fossil fuel usage must be decreased and substitute energy like hydrogen must be commercialized.

Hydrogen powered cars only emits water vapor which does not harm the atmosphere. Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST President: Yoon Seok-jin) developed a technology that improved corrosion issues in fuel cells of hydrogen powered cars.

Hydrogen fuel cells create electricity from hydrogen and acts as an engine in a car. The lifespan is not so economic since the carbon particles that support the platinum catalyst easily corrodes. The fuel cell is currently expensive and the lifespan may act as a burden to car owners.

A Korean research team developed a technology that significantly increases the lifespan. Doctor Kim Jin-young of KIST Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Research Center and Doctor Kim Jong-min of Material Architecturing Research Center Professor Chung Yeon-shik of KAIST and their team announced that they developed new type platinum nano structure electrode utilizing simple 20nm level printing technology that does not have carbon that corrodes.

Platinum attaches by themselves in nanometer level which is a characteristic that halts them from used as catalyst. Commercialized catalysts stabilize 2 to 5nm sized platinum by attaching them on carbon particles. The particles are lost after repeated drives causing decrease in performance of cells. Also it was not efficient due to the thickness and complexity of electrode.

The research team developed technology that uses the fine printing technology to create and laminate 20nm size of stable structured platinum. The electrode made by the technology has extensive space between steel frame shaped structure that lets materials such as oxygen hydrogen and water to move around. Also the electrode 10 times thinner compared to conventional ones.

Doctor Kim Jin-young said that the catalyst developed utilizing ultra-fine printing technology ensures cost efficiency by significantly improving the durability and performance. Chung said that it may be applied to other areas of electrochemistry like catalyst sensor battery etc.

The research was supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT (Minister: Lim Hye-sook) KIST core project climate change response project and global frontier project. The result was published in the newest issue of ‘Science Advances’.

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