The National Science Foundation awarded $275,000 under the Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships federal grant program to FC Renew, LLC to develop a renewable platinum catalyst for fuel cell applications. The 12-month project grant aims to establish proof-of-concept for an in-stack electrocatalyst renewal approach that enables reuse of once end-of-life fuel cells. By renewing the platinum electrocatalyst without removing it from the vehicle, the technology has potential to significantly reduce the total cost of ownership for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and increase overall system reliability. The project will analyze electrocatalyst renewal working parameters using custom testing apparatus and commercial fuel cell membranes. Analytic electrochemistry, microscopy, and electron paramagnetic resonance techniques will verify the renewal process's effects. If successful, repeatedly renewing the expensive platinum electrocatalyst could enable hydrogen fuel cells to become more cost-competitive with diesel and gasoline engines.
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