SBIR Phase II: Carbon Monoxide-Tolerant Anode Catalysts for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells via Combustion Chemical Vapor Deposition

该小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第二阶段项目旨在实施燃烧化学气相沉积（CCVD）工艺，用于生产需要重整燃料进料气体的质子交换膜燃料电池（PEMFC）应用的阳极电催化剂层。 在第一阶段中，它被证明，制造的Pt：Ru电催化剂作为无支撑的，金属纳米粒子是可能的，使用CCVD。这些电催化剂层以与使用湿化学方法在碳载体上制备的市售Pt：Ru电催化剂类似的方式电化学地表现，但是可以直接沉积到气体扩散介质和质子交换膜上。第二阶段项目将包括优化催化剂成分，继续开发用于大规模生产膜电极组件（MEA）的网状涂层技术，并通过生产设备的建设和许可证的发放将该技术商业化。燃料电池市场对燃料电池公司的技术和市值进行了大量投资，这说明了燃料电池市场的巨大兴趣。例如，戴姆勒-克莱斯勒公司计划在2004年生产燃料电池汽车，并计划投资14亿多美元来实现这一目标。然而，为了商业可行性，必须改进电催化剂层的性能和成本。MCT如果成功，可以在这两个领域做出贡献。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project seeks to implement a Combustion Chemical Vapor Deposition (CCVD) process for the production of anode electrocatalyst layers for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) applications requiring reformate fuel feed gas. In Phase I it was demonstrated that fabrication of Pt:Ru electrocatalysts as unsupported, metallic nanoparticles is possible using CCVD. These electrocatalyst layers behave electrochemically in a similar manner to commercially available Pt:Ru electrocatalysts prepared on carbon supports using wet chemical methods, but can be deposited directly onto both gas diffusion media and proton exchange membranes. The Phase II project would involve optimization of catalyst composition, continued development of web coating technology for mass production of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) and commercialization of the technology through construction of production equipment and licensing.Fuel cells are of huge interest to the marketplace, as illustrated by sizable investments in the technology and market capitalization of fuel cell companies. For example, Daimler Chrysler has targeted the year 2004 for planned production of fuel cell vehicles, and has slated more than $1.4 billion in investments to reach that goal. However, for commercial viability, performance and cost of the electrocatalyst layers must be improved. MCT, if successful, could contribute in both arenas.