New catalyst fuel cell debuts with discharge power exceeding 80% after 30,000 cycles

Recently, Zhichedepai learned from the Internet that the experimental research group of Professor Wu Changzheng from the School of Chemistry and Materials Science of the University of Science and Technology of China and the theoretical calculation research group of Professor Wu Heng'an from the Department of Modern Mechanics of the School of Engineering Science have cooperated to synthesize ultra-small platinum-based intermetallic compound electrocatalysts for the first time. Compared with ordinary fuel cells, proton exchange membrane fuel cells equipped with this new catalyst can still maintain 81.5% of the discharge power after 30,000 cycle durability tests. This catalyst not only realizes the high-power discharge of fuel cells, but also improves the long-term cycle stability of fuel cells. At present, relevant results have been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

At present, it is difficult to see a fuel cell car in China, and most new energy vehicles are still electric cars powered by batteries.

Electric car Tesla Model S

Although the only emission from fuel cell vehicles during driving is water, which basically does not pollute the environment, it is difficult for fuel cell vehicles to seize the market from traditional gasoline and electric vehicles due to the slow construction of hydrogen production, storage, hydrogen refueling stations and related ancillary infrastructure in China.

Toyota Mirai fuel cell vehicle

Zhichepai ​​learned that the catalyst of fuel cell vehicles is very expensive, and usually contains platinum, which is what we usually call platinum, a precious metal that is more expensive than gold. At the same time, the cost of fuel cell engines is also high, which leads to the high price of fuel cell vehicles. The stagnation of fuel cell technology is also one of the reasons that restrict the rapid development of fuel cell vehicles. This time, the new catalyst developed by the University of Science and Technology of China has raised the practicality of fuel cells to a new level. It is expected that this technology can inject some vitality into the fuel vehicle market.