CO Tolerant Doped-Metal Oxide Catalysts

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CO Tolerant Doped-Metal Oxide Catalysts--Giner, Inc., 14 Spring Street, Waltham, MA 02154-4413; (617) 899-7270
Dr. John A. Kosek, Principal Investigator
Dr. Anthony B. LaConti, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-97ER82387
Amount: $74,987

The Department of Energy is funding the development of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells for use as a power source in an electric vehicle. The fuel cell would derive its fuel from a reformed liquid such as methanol or gasoline which, in addition to producing hydrogen, would produce by-products such as carbon monoxide which would decrease the fuel cell power output by contaminating the fuel cell anode catalyst. The overall objective of this project is to develop low-cost fuel cell electrode catalysts based on doped-metal oxides which can tolerate the presence of these contaminants. A goal of the project is to minimize the fuel cell power loss when operating on fuel gas containing contaminating species, or ¿dirty¿ fuel gas. In Phase I, a series of low-cost catalysts will be prepared, thoroughly characterized, and tested on both clean and dirty gases. The two most promising catalysts will be tested continuously in a 100 hour fuel cell life test. During the follow-on Phase II project, additional studies will be performed to optimize the fuel electrode catalyst for dirty fuel gas operation. A scaled-up fuel cell stack will be fabricated and life tested for at least 1000 hours to demonstrate its operational characteristics.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Due to recent mandates requiring zero emission vehicles by the early 2000s, there is potentially a large commercial market for proton-exchange membrane fuel cells with the advanced anode catalyst; it could also be used in dispersed power cogeneration facilities fueled by reformed natural gas. Military applications include mobile electric generators and transportation applications.