SBIR Phase I: CO-Tolerant Pt-Mo Electrocatalysts for Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cells

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9860477 This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project addresses the development of Pt-Mo alloys as promising CO-tolerant catalysts for application in fuel cells operating on hydrogen from reformed hydrocarbons. In this project, three well-established synthetic methods to prepare high dispersion supported Pt-Mo alloys. T/J Technologies, Inc. has extensive experience in the dispersion of bifunctional Pt-Ru electrocatalysts on early transition metal carbide supports. Drawing on this area of expertise, a systematic investigate of three synthetic methods for dispersing the alloy catalysts on Vulcan XC-72 to produce alloys of varying composition and microstructure. The company will characterize the composition and microstructure of the supported catalysts using electron microscopy and x-ray microanalysis. Stripping voltammetry measurements will be performed using electrocatalysts deposited onto glassy carbon electrodes. Rotating disk methods will be used to measure electro-oxidation activity under defined mass transport conditions. In phase II, catalyst microstructure, weight loading, and particle size distributions will be optimized to improve electrochemical activity. Reducing the cost of CO tolerant catalysts addresses a key impediment to the commercialization of PEM fuel cells for vehicle propulsion and off-grid electric power generation.