(Invited) Electrocat: Expediting PGM-Free Fuel Cell Catalyst and Electrode Development

Abstract

The development of platinum group metal-free (PGM)-free catalysts with comparable performance and durability to low- PGM catalysts would hasten the cost competitiveness of fuel cells with alternative technologies. Therefore, addressing electrocatalyst development represents the most pressing technical barrier in fuel cell deployment and in meeting the ultimate U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) automotive fuel cell system cost target of $30/kW. ElectroCat (The Electrocatalysis Consortium), like other DOE Energy Materials Network (EMN) consortia, aligns research and development (R&D) activities at national laboratories and, through DOE-funded projects, facilitates access of academic and industry partners to the world-class capabilities and expertise at the national labs. These capabilities, such as (1) catalyst synthesis (including in particular high-throughput methods), (2) advanced characterization expertise, and (3) quantum chemical modeling address the salient knowledge gaps in PGM-free catalyst development: ascertaining the structure-function relationship, increasing active site density, improving electrode structure to maximize active site utilization and mitigate mass transport limitations, and improving durability. In the near-term, the consortium will work to develop PGM-free catalysts and electrodes to meet the 2025 DOE current density technical target of 0.044 A/cm2 at 0.9 VIR-free, analogous to the goal for low-PGM catalysts. In 2018, ElectroCat R&D efforts increased initial activity by 68% compared to the 2016 baseline of 16 mA/cm2. The presentation will highlight current R&D advancements, core national lab experimental and computational capabilities, as well as high-throughput and machine-learning approaches to expedite the development of PGM-free catalysts and electrodes.