Toyota Takes a Closer Look at Fuel Cell Performance

Toyota Motor Corp. and Japan Fine Ceramics Center (JFCC) have developed a new way to monitor the behavior of nanometer-sized platinum particles during chemical reactions in fuel cells.

The partners say the proces could help reduce the degradation of pricey platinum catalysts, thereby improving the efficiency and durability of fuel cells.

Platinum is a catalyst for the electricity-producing reactions between oxygen and hydrogen in fuel cell stacks. Over time, the platinum nanoparticles gain mass but lose surface area, making them less reactive.

Toyota and JFCC say they have developed the first viable method to find the root cause of the coarsening. They are using a scaled-down observable sample that can replicate the environment and conditions in fuel cells. This is coupled with a new method of applying voltage to samples inside a transmission electron microscope (capable of analyzing atomic-sized materials as small as 0.1 nm), allowing coarsening to be observed in real time.

The partners hope to determine where and at what voltage on the carbon carrier platinum coarsens, as well as identify the characteristics of the various types of carrier materials. They say results will help guide work to enhance the performance and durability of platinum catalysts and the overall fuel cell stack.