Nanotechnology in Fuel Cells

How can nanotechnology improve fuel cells?

Catalysts are used with fuels such as hydrogen or methanol to produce hydrogen ions. Platinum, which is very expensive, is the catalyst typically used in this process. Companies are using nanoparticles of platinum to reduce the amount of platinum needed, or using nanoparticles of other materials to replace platinum entirely and thereby lower costs.

Fuel cells contain membranes that allow hydrogen ions to pass through the cell but do not allow other atoms or ions, such as oxygen, to pass through. Companies are using nanotechnology to create more efficient membranes; this will allow them to build lighter weight and longer lasting fuel cells.

Small fuel cells are being developed that can be used to replace batteries in handheld devices such as PDAs or laptop computers. Most companies working on this type of fuel cell are using methanol as a fuel and are calling them DMFC's, which stands for direct methanol fuel cell. DMFC's are designed to last longer than conventional batteries. In addition, rather than plugging your device into an electrical outlet and waiting for the battery to recharge, with a DMFC you simply insert a new cartridge of methanol into the device and you're ready to go.

Fuel cells that can replace batteries in electric cars are also under development. Hydrogen is the fuel most researchers propose for use in fuel cell powered cars. In addition to the improvements to catalysts and membranes discussed above, it is necessary to develop a lightweight and safe hydrogen fuel tank to hold the fuel and build a network of refueling stations. To build these tanks, researchers are trying to develop lightweight nanomaterials that will absorb the hydrogen and only release it when needed. The Department of Energy is estimating that widespread usage of hydrogen powered cars will not occur until approximately 2020.

Fuel Cells: Nanotechnology Applications

Increasing catalyst surface area and efficiency by depositing platinum on porous alumina

Allowing the use of lower purity, and therefore less expensive, hydrogen with an anode made made of platinum nanoparticles deposited on titanium oxide.

Increasing storage capacity for hydrogen fuel tanks using graphene.

Replacing platinum catalysts with less expensive nanomaterials

Increasing the reactivity of platinum, by adjusting the atomic spacing, to significantly reduce the amount of platinum needed in a fuel cell.

Using hydrogen fuel cells to power cars

Fuel Cells: Nanotechnology Company Directory

Company	Product	Advantage
QuantumSphere	Non-platinum catalyst	Reduces cost
MTI Micro	DMFC's	Minimizes moving parts, reduces cost, size and weight
UltraCell	DMFC's that uses an extra catalyst to convert methanol to hydrogen before reaching the core of the fuel cell	Increases power density and cell voltage
EDC Ovonics	Hydrogen fuel tanks using metal hydrides as the storage media	Reduce size, weight and pressure for storing hydrogen
Unidym	Carbon nanotube based electrodes	Improve efficiency of fuel cells by reducing resistive and mass transfer losses
GridShift	Hydrogen generation using nanoparticle coated electrodes	Improve efficiency of hydrogen generation by electrolysis