New Pt Alternative Catalyst Could Slash Fuel-cell Car Price

Apr 1, 2009 18:27 Megumi Yoshizawa, Nikkei Microdevices

Nisshinbo Industries Inc developed the "carbon alloy catalyst," a platinum (Pt) alternative catalyst for fuel cells, with a power density of 525mW/cm².

The power generation performance confirmed this time is at "the highest level in the world" for a Pt alternative catalyst, according to Nisshinbo. Specifically, its open circuit voltage is 0.98V, and the voltage at 0.2A/cm² is 0.67V.

In addition, the total cost, including that of catalyst and processing, can be cut to about 1/6 by using the new catalyst, the company said. When the catalyst is employed for a fuel cell vehicle, a cost reduction of about ¥500,000 (approx US$5,053) can be expected. Furthermore, unlike Pt catalyst, the carbon alloy catalyst does not cause corrosion of fuel cell parts, thus increasing the life span of fuel cells, Nisshinbo said.

The catalyst will be manufactured at Nisshinbo's Central Laboratory Center in Chiba City, Ciba Prefecture, Japan. The company aims to ship it to fuel cell manufacturers in spring 2010.

Carbon alloy catalyst was named by Junichi Ozaki, professor at Gunma University, who discovered that a minute spherical carbon (C) nanostructure has a catalytic effect. Nisshinbo has been involved in the joint development of Pt alternative catalyst with Ozaki since 2006. Also, the company became a member of a project promoted by Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) in June 2008.

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