Development of Low Cost Direct alcohol Fuel Cells (DAFCs) for Portable and Automotive Applications

The high cost of platinum has previously prevented fuel cell technology from competing with current energy technologies on a price-competitive basis. Limitations on future platinum supply will also drive negative economies of scale: more fuel cells that are produced, the more expensive the platinum component will be needed. Another commercial barrier for fuel cells is the challenge associated with the fuels used for platinum-catalyzed fuel cells, namely methanol which has restrictions on sale and transportation as it is toxic; and hydrogen which is an inefficient fuel to transport, store and distribute due to its natural gaseous state. New class of catalysts (HYPERMEC™) has developed by Acta Company, being made of a blend of other transition metals, including cobalt, nickel and iron. These metals are abundant and the pricing is vastly cheaper than platinum. They are not vulnerable to carbon poisoning and the manufacturing process is robust and scaleable.

کلیدواژه ها:

DAFC (direct alcohol fuel cell) ، fuel cell stack ، Nanostructure ، Alcohols oxidation