Metal Nanoparticle Catalysts

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Case ID: C12198 Description Catalysts for Improved Fuel Cells Invention Novelty The current invention is a catalyst for fuel cells with improved characteristics. Value Proposition The technology is a sustainable path to the development of high-efficiency, high power proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) employing a minimal amount of precious metal catalyst. All PEMFCs require two catalytic electrodes: one to extract protons and electrons from a fuel such as hydrogen, and one to re-combine these protons and electrons with oxygen to form water. The latter reaction, the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), is the primary bottleneck and accounts for the most loss (80%) of power in operational cells. Current solutions to speed the ORR reaction include using platinum (Pt) as a catalyst, or Pt nanoparticles adsorbed onto larger carbon particles which are bound together by a paint made of a polymeric binder such as Nafion. Drawbacks to this method include poor electrical contact with the external circuit, and that the reactants have to diffuse through a polymeric binder, which can add extra diffusional resistance or block catalyst surfaces thereby rendering the catalyst inactive. By encapsulating high surface area Ni/Pt alloy nanoporous nanoparticles with [MTBD][beti], a hydrophobic, protic ionic liquid, new functionality is introduced into the oxygen reduction cathode catalyst architecture with the following advantages: Helps to confine oxygen near the catalyst surface and shuttle product water away. Half-cell measurements show the np-NiPt/C+[MTBD][beti] encapsulated catalyst to be nearly an order of magnitude more active than commercial Pt/C, a result that will directly translate into operational PEMFCs. Activity of the catalyst trends with properties of the ionic liquid, opening the door for further significant improvements in fuel cell catalysis. Technical Details Johns Hopkins researchers have developed a material able to transport protons to the catalyst and expel waste products while allowing for transport of the reactants. This ensures the entire surface area of the catalyst is available and not clogged by reactants. The current solution replaces the metallic films/sheets with metallic nanoparticles. It includes methods to create homogenous metallic alloy nanoparticles, bind them to a carbon support, etch away the alloy to produce porous nanoparticles, and then encapsulate these in a reaction enhancing material for inclusion of the nanoporous nanoparticles into an operational fuel cell. The advantage of these nanoparticles over films is an increased surface area and therefore more catalytic surface to aid the reactions of interest. Looking for Partners To develop and commercialize the technology to improve fuel cell performance. Stage of Development Prototype Data Availability Under CDA/NDA Patent Status S Publication No. 2014-0113218 Publication(s)/Associated Cases Not available at this time. Categories Electronic Materials Keywords fuel cell, catalyst efficiency, nanoparticle, energy storage Direct Link http://jhu.technologypublisher.com/technology/23298