Exhibition 2018 / 2017 / 2016
Technology for the next generation cars
Technology for the next generation cars
- ・Carbon material for electric car battery
- ・Electrode catalyst for fuel cell
- ・High performance activated carbon sheet
Catalyst technology for the gasoline engine cars
Catalyst technology for the gasoline engine cars
- ・GPF Catalyst
- ・Material to suppress Knox emission at engine restart
(SRR-MIX) - ・The new oxygen storage material (pCP)
- ・NSR Catalyst
Catalyst technology for the diesel engine cars
Catalyst technology for the diesel engine cars
- ・Catalyst system for NOx purification
(HC-SCR) - ・Catalyst for DPF (Meshwork Catalyst)
- ・SCR-Filter system catalyst
CORPORATE SITE
Technology for the next generation cars
Electrode catalyst for fuel cell
"Source of power" that changes the future of the automobile
Invisible power that has contributed to the improvement of the performance of TOYOTA MIRAI, the world first mass production fuel cell vehicle. Chemical reaction of the electrode catalyst will contribute to further dissemination of the fuel cell vehicle.
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 car 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.
※Electrode is a conductor that is on anode, the positive terminal for current flow out and on cathode, the negative terminal for current flow in. It is an electrical contact part for the purpose of moving target object or measuring electric signal.
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 supplied to the fuel electrode (negative terminal/anode) and oxygen is supplied to the air electrode (positive 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.
Characteristics of precious metal (PtCo) loaded carbon substrate
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.
Example of developed technology
[Pt uniformly loading technology]
![Example of developed technology [Pt uniformly loading technology]](../images/electro/fcv/ph11.jpg)
![Example of developed technology [Pt uniformly loading technology]](../sp/images/electro/fcv/sp_ph11.jpg)
The secret of the electrode catalyst for the world first Fuel Cell vehicle(MIRAI)
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.
