World’s most durable Hydrogen Fuel Cell

August 1, 2022

Scientists from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have developed world’s most durable Hydrogen Fuel Cell. However, this hydrogen fuel is more cost cost-effective, and make ways for wider application of green energy in chasing carbon-neutral world.

Hydrogen fuel cells are clean energy option;

They generate power efficiently by converting hydrogen and oxygen into electricity.
Zero carbon dioxide, particulate matter and other air pollutants are emitted in the process.
Hydrogen fuel cells are not yet widely commercialized, despite they have several environmental benefits. This is so, because power generation capabilities of hydrogen fuel cell depend on an electrocatalyst. The electrocatalyst earlier comprised of very expensive and rare metal platinum.
Thus, researchers have tried to develop its alternatives by replacing platinum with more common and inexpensive materials such as iron, nitrogen or carbon.
However, these alternative materials have either been proven inefficient in power generation or had poor durability.

Now, scientists from HKUST have discovered a new formula. This formula will reduce the proportion of platinum used by 80%. It will also set a record with respect to durability level of cell. The new cell managed to maintain platinum catalytic activity at 97% after 100,000 cycles of accelerated stress test, as against the current catalyst whose performance reduced by 50% in 30,000 cycles. No performance decay was reported in new fuel cell, after operating for 200 hours.

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