Pt-free catalysts promise to lower fuel-cell costs...

摘要

Showa Denko K.K. (Tokyo; www.sdk.co.jp/ html/english) has developed a platinum-substitute catalyst system for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) under the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization's (NEDO; Kawasaki, Japan) project led by professor Kenichiro Ota of Yokohama National University. The new catalysts - based on niobium oxide and titanium oxide, each containing nitrogen and carbon atoms - are used in both the cathode and anode of a PEFC and are said to achieve the world's highest level of efficiency, in terms of open-circuit voltage and durability, among non-Pt catalysts announced so far. Enhanced durability has also been observed, with operation extending to more than 10,000 h, says the firm.