Novel triple-pore based efficient non-precious metal catalysts for O2 reduction in PEM fuel cells

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As a clean, sustainable energy technology, proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have emerged as highly promising power sources for motive and stationary applications. The commercialization of PEMFCs, however, is greatly hindered by their high cost and insufficient durability. The electrocatalysts are identified to be the key issue, since over 50% of PEMFC stack cost comes from the Pt-based catalyst. The development of low-cost, highly active and durable Pt-free catalysts is therefore of paramount important. The proposed research aims to develop new classes of low-cost Fe/N/C fuel cell electrocatalysts to overcome the cost, activity and durability challenges which hinder the wide-spread commercialization of PEMFCs. The main challenges will be to determine how the triple pores and the heteroatoms affect the activity and durability of the catalysts, and how to optimize and scale up the catalysts with high activity and durability performance, to realize the commercialization of non-precious-metal catalyst (NPMC)-based fuel cells. This project involves a strong collaboration team with a world-leading fuel cell industry supporter, to approach the above goals from all angles. It features a notable mix of electrocatalyst synthesis, performance evaluation, modelling, and in situ advanced investigation during fuel cell functioning, leading to a synergetic effort to reveal the NPMC ORR mechanism related to activity and durability degradation. It is expected that the techniques developed in this project could significantly lower cost, and improve the activity and durability of fuel cells, and could be transferred to fuel cell industry, finally to promote PEMFC commercialization. This project has great potential to contribute significantly to the economic, energy and environmental sectors of Canada. The HQP involved in this project will gain valuable and comprehensive training, and will be in high demand both in the industrial and academic sectors in Canada