Electrode catalyst for fuel cell

HOME > Automotive Engineering Exposition 2017 > Electrode catalyst for fuel cell

What is FCV, the Fuel Cell Vehicle?

Fuel cell is the "Electrical generator" which can generate electrical energy continuously by electrochemical reaction between oxygen and hydrogen. It is different from the primary battery such as dry cell and rechargeable battery that needs to repeat charging. We can utilize electrical energy that the fuel cell generates through electrochemical reaction between hydrogen as fuel and oxygen. In fact, the fuel cell vehicle is a car that is equipped with "Fuel cell (Stack)" which generates electricity through chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to power a motor. Hydrogen is an environment-friendly and alternative energy to gasoline, that can be produced from a variety of raw materials.

How the fuel cell vehicles (FCV) work

This car works by motor power with generates electricity to power a motor through the chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. It's different from gasoline engine car that burns gasoline. Fuel cell vehicle is the ultimate eco-friendly car since it doesn’t burn gasoline(fossil fuels) and doesn't emit CO₂(Carbon dioxide) which is a cause of global warming. In addition, it is an environmentally-friendly car without noise as it doesn't have an engine.

What is "Electrode catalyst", the source of the power of FCV?

Electrode catalyst is used in a electrode(※) of the Solid Polymer Fuel Cell. Fuel cell produces water and electricity by reaction between hydrogen and oxygen which is opposite mechanism of producing hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis of water. Electrode catalyst supports reaction between hydrogen and oxygen in a fuel cell.

Mechanism of the fuel cell

The part where generates electricity in the fuel cell is called "Stack" which consists of MEA(※) aggregation between separators(※). Gas flow path for hydrogen(fuel) and oxygen(air) is formed in several separators. Hydrogen enters at the fuel electrode (positive terminal/anode) and oxygen enters at the air electrode (negative terminal/cathode) of MEA and generate electricity by the electrochemical reaction.

• Separator is the plate form part to cut the fuel gas and air supply. It forms gas flow path and separate the layer for hydrogen flow and oxygen flow as well as sealing each cell.
• MEA（Membrane Electrode Assembly） is the membrane electrode assembly for the fuel cell, that has catalyst layer which consists of polymer electrolyte and electrode for the single high polymer fuel cell, proton exchange membrane and gas diffusion layer, and has sealing as well in some cases.

Precious metal coated carbon used for catalyst layers. (Our technology)

Electrode catalyst is the key material to affect improvement of output of the fuel cell vehicle and fuel efficiency of H₂. The most-advanced technique of electrode catalyst jointly developed by TOYOTA Motor Corporation and us was adopted to their world's first FC vehicle on mass production.

Characteristics of precious metal (PtCo) loaded carbon substrate

Active species of Pt system disperses at the nano level.

Carbon type, "Active surface area" and "Surface" affect the performance.

Example of developed technology [Pt uniformly loading technology]

The secret of the electrode catalyst for the world first Fuel Cell Vehicle(FCV)

Our developed "Electrode catalyst for Fuel Cell (that's been installed　on the Fuel Cell vehicle MIRAI) has achieved cost-reduction due to significant reduction in use of expensive Platinum and contributed to improve reliability of the FCV on the series-production as well as contributing to improvement of performance of MIRAI by improving fuel cell output, H₂ fuel efficient, and high temperature output when driving upslope that were the challenges.

Technological innovation of electrode catalyst for fuel cell

Dissemination of Fuel Cell Vehicle is still in "Initiation period"
"Expansion period" will start from 2020 Tokyo Olympic.

FCCJ, Fuel Cell Commercialization Conference of Japan, that makes policy proposals for solving the problem in practical use and dissemination of the fuel cell in Japan, established start time of FCV dissemination to the general users in 2015 as a mile stone. And they announced their scenario of "Aim to start dissemination of FCV to the general users from 2015 and establish an infrastructure for hydrogen supply to ensure user-friendliness" with agreement of the major automobile companies and domestic energy companies. Hydrogen ・Fuel cell Strategy Council of Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is planning a roadmap for FCV dissemination and hydrogen station improvement in short term for 2030.