Technology Commercialization and Partnerships | BSA 07-27: Electrocatalyst for Efficient Oxidation of Alcohol in Fuel Cells

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Categories: advanced materials, energy

BSA 07-27: Electrocatalyst for Efficient Oxidation of Alcohol in Fuel Cells

BNL Reference Number: BSA 07-27

Patent Status: Application Number 20090068505 was published on March 12, 2009

Summary

Scanning transmission electron micrograph showing uniform dispersion of the catalyst particles (bright spots) on the carbon support (dark background). The average particle size is about 1.5 nm.

Ethanol and other alcohols, while readily available and nearly ideal reactants for fuel cells, are impractical and inefficient power sources because they require high applied voltage to break carbon-carbon bonds. This nanoparticle electrocatalyst of platinum and rhodium on tin dioxide effectively splits those bonds in alcohols at room temperature and modest voltages, making alcohol and ethanol viable, efficient energy sources.

Description

A ternary catalyst consisting of clusters of a noble metal (such as platinum) and rhodium on the surface of tin dioxide nanoparticles can oxidize alcohols into carbon dioxide in fuel cells. An alternative form of this catalyst is a noble metal core with clusters of rhodium and tin dioxide on its surface. Either ternary catalyst may be supported by carbon and formed into an anode for use in a fuel cell. These electrocatalysts exhibit the ability to break carbon-carbon bonds at modest potentials while maintaining resistance to poisoning by carbon monoxide.

Benefits

Ethanol combines high energy density, production from renewable sources, and ease of storage and transportation to offer an almost ideal fuel for fuel cells. The ternary electrocatalyst composites offer high catalytic activity for ethanol and other alcohol oxidations at lower costs than bulk platinum/carbon catalysts.

Applications and Industries

This efficient electrocatalyst can be applied to fuel cells to exploit the potential of ethanol and alcohol oxidation across a range of industries, including stationary, portable, and vehicular power supplies.