Chemists Uncover Cost-Effective Approach for Advancing Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology
Hydrogen fuel cells, offering efficient power for vehicles, generators, and even spacecraft while emitting minimal greenhouse gases, present promising renewable alternatives to traditional combustion engines and other polluting energy sources. However, their widespread adoption has been hindered by the high cost associated with platinum and other precious metals required to facilitate their electrochemical reactions.esearchers at Cornell University have now identified a class of nonprecious metal derivatives capable of catalyzing fuel cell reactions nearly as effectively as platinum, but at a fraction of the cost.
“These more affordable metals pave the way for broader implementation of hydrogen fuel cells,” noted Héctor D. Abruña, a professor in Cornell’s Department of Chemistry. “They offer a shift away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy sources.”
With the rise of more forgiving alkaline fuel cells, there is an opportunity for less expensive metals to replace platinum in these next-generation fuel cells. Abruña and his team embarked on engineering a cost-effective material suitable for alkaline fuel cells, capable of efficiently conducting electricity and catalyzing the ORR reaction.
These significant cost savings have the potential to propel hydrogen fuel cells from the realm of laboratory research to mainstream adoption. Affordable fuel cells could revolutionize transportation and energy storage, offering a sustainable alternative that operates continuously on hydrogen without the need for recharging and with minimal energy wastage—unlike conventional combustion engines which waste a substantial portion of energy.
“Hydrogen fuel cells offer unprecedented efficiency compared to traditional engines,” emphasized Abruña. “The challenge lies in developing stable and affordable catalysts to make widespread adoption feasible.”
