SBIR Phase II: C0-Tolerant Electrocatalysts for Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cells

这个小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第二阶段项目开发了使用重整氢运行的PEM燃料电池的阳极催化剂。 贵金属簇将被精细地分散在T/J Technologies开发的新型高表面积导电陶瓷载体上。 在阶段I期间制备的催化剂对于用含有高达200 ppm CO的燃料流操作的氢阳极显示出高的一氧化碳（CO）耐受性，其上级优于市售的碳负载型催化剂。 用于优化这些催化剂的第二阶段技术方法包括：（1）通过利用铂和陶瓷载体之间的强相互作用来控制铂粒度;（2）陶瓷载体的表面改性;和（3）简化催化剂制备程序。 这种方法将降低贵金属的总含量，并提高耐用性和简化分散过程。 同时，将构建原型膜电极组件。 完整的燃料电池将与集成燃料电池的商业开发商合作组装和测试。 通过降低贵金属含量和提高耐久性，这项研究将提高以重整烃燃料运行的燃料电池的商业可行性。 主要的商业市场是车辆推进和千瓦级离网或便携式电源。 预计到2000年，全球燃料电池市场将超过30亿美元。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project develops anode catalysts for PEM fuel cells operating with reformed hydrogen. Noble metal clusters will be finely dispersed onto new, high surface area conductive ceramic supports developed at T/J Technologies. Catalysts prepared during phase I showed high carbon monoxide (CO)-tolerance for a hydrogen anode operating with a fuel stream containing up to 200 ppm CO, superior to commercially available carbon-supported catalysts. The Phase II technical approach for optimizing these catalysts includes: (1) platinum particle size control by exploiting the strong interaction between platinum and the ceramic support; (2) surface modification of the ceramic support; and (3) simplification of the catalyst preparation procedure. This approach will reduce total precious metal content, as well as improve durability and simplify the dispersion process. In parallel, prototype membrane electrode assemblies will be constructed. Complete fuel cells will be assembled and tested in collaboration with commercial developers of integrated fuel cells. By reducing noble metal content and improving durability, this research will improve the commercial viability of fuel cells operating on reformed hydrocarbon fuels. Primary commercial markets are vehicle propulsion and kW-scale off grid or portable power supplies. Global fuel cell markets are projected to exceed $3 billion by 2000.