Development of Advanced Electrocatalyst for Automotive Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

Abstract

Reduction of Pt loading on fuel cell electric vehicles is strongly desired for fuel cell electric vehicles to be commercially viable. Activity enhancement for the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction of Pt-based electrocatalyst is the most essential to reduce Pt loading. Here, we provide a brief review of recent advances in Pt-based ORR electrocatalysts followed by electrocatalyst research activities of Nissan.

(Plenary) FCEV Development at Nissan

“…Catalyst Activity Improvement Figure 4 shows a research level in-house prototype catalyst activity improvement. The advanced PtCo/C catalyst shows almost 8 time increase of both specific and mass initial activity while showing similar ECA as conventional Pt/C catalyst (2). Mechanism of such activity increase is thought to be a) Pt-Pt distance improvement and b) improved ordered intermetallic Pt3Co structure.…”

“…Figure 6 shows one of the concept towards achieving both low mass transport resistance and high catalytic activity based on the above result. It is very important to notice that to evaluate the catalyst performance for automotive usage, the test conditions should be carefully be set to simulate actual automotive operating conditions (2). Nissan has conducted the modification of the current FCCJ evaluation protocols (6) on RDE under financial support from NEDO.…”