Eco Factor: A technique for a bimetallic fuel cell catalyst that is two to five times more effective than commercial catalysts.
Researchers from all around the world are busy developing better technologies that will solve the future energy crisis. Fuel cell technology is the most considered resource after renewable sources of energy. Taking it to new heights, a team of scientists lead by Younan Xia, Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Washington University, has come up with a bimetallic catalyst that is more efficient than other commercial catalysts and could enable a cost effective fuel cell technology.
Catalyst is said to be composed of platinum and palladium that supports dendritic platinum branches, or arms, that are fixed on the nanostructure, consisting of a nine nanometer core and seven nanometer platinum arms. Due to this very reason, it can reduce precursor compound to palladium and platinum with L-ascorbic acid, commonly known as Vitamin C. Further, the high surface area of catalyst makes it suitable not only for fuel cells, but for many other applications. Researchers claim that this technique is two to five times more effective than commercial catalysts. According to the Department of Energy, reduction in the amount of platinum catalyst, that is considered one of the most expensive, can bring down the cost of fuel cells. Further, researchers are experimenting with other noble materials such as gold that can be added to bimetallic catalysts to convert them into trimetalic.
Via: Physorg
