One of the major problems for commercializing polymer fuel cells is the high cost of electrocatalysts and the sensitivity to impurities in the fuel (especially carbon monoxide), while carbon monoxide is one of the most common impurities in the Hydrogen flow as the main feedstock for polymer fuel cells. In recent years, research has focused on finding ways to increase carbon monoxide tolerance by employing high temperature fuel cells or new electrocatalysts with little need for purification. This is the best way to deal with this problem with no adding new steps or equipment to the system. Several studies were accomplished to synthesize and develop catalysts with enhanced CO tolerance, which could decrease the need for Hydrogen purification demand. In this purpose, platinum is alloyed with elements such as ruthenium. Thus, adding one or two other elements to the catalyst structure can not only lead to a more CO-tolerant catalyst production, but also a lower catalyst and cell price. The ultimate goal of this project is to achieve the technology of making fuel cell anodes with adequate resistance to the presence of carbon monoxide pollutants in hydrogen flow for polymer fuel cells. Therefore, in this project, based on the criteria announced by the Power Research Institute, a comprehensive five-year research program has been developed to develop and evaluate electrocatalysts used in high-stability polymer fuel cell with respect to carbon monoxide. For this purpose, a brief history of research in Iran and the world is presented and then the study is compared with the country's comprehensive research programs. Finally, a five-year research program including five-year thematic roadmap and thematic roadmap One year is provided.
Synthesis and evaluation of PEM fuel cell electro-catalysts with enhanced CO tolerance
Department:
Green Chemical Technology
Project manager(s):
Year:
2020
Financial supporter:
Niroo Research Institute