Platinum Nanowire Arrays for More Cost-Effective Fuel Cells

Lead Inventors: Joze Bevk Problem or Unmet Need:Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuels cells have attracted much interest as a promising system for both residential and transportation applications due to their high energy density. Platinum nanoparticles are typically used as the catalyst both at the anode and the cathode of PEM fuel cells because the metal offers very good catalytic activity. However, platinum is a very expensive component to include in these systems. Further, there is a limited supply of platinum which, at current usage levels, would only be able to provide for approximately 25% of vehicles produced each year. Therefore, there is a need for technologies which can reduce the amount of platinum required for PEM fuel cells while maintaining the benefits of these systems.This technology presents an approach to create micron-sized filaments that are platinum coated and contain a silver core. Unlike pure platinum wires, these filaments are easier to manufacture and have better electrical and thermal properties. Once produced, the filaments are arranged into a dense network by weaving. The resulting product is a composite that can be etched away, exposing the platinum wires in whatever surface to volume ratio is ideal for the given application. To strengthen these composites, other filaments can be incorporated into the weaving process such as carbon, glass or high-strength polymer fibers. The filaments produced by this technology can be used in PEM fuel cells and require less platinum than currently used techniques.

The wires generated by this approach are easier to manufacture than pure platinum wires This technology produces better electrical and thermal properties than existing approaches This technology reduces the quantity of platinum required in PEM fuel cells

This technology can be utilized as a means of reducing the quantity of platinum required in PEM fuels cells This technology may have utility for catalytic converters Other applications which require platinum catalysts may benefit from this technology by lowering the required quantity of platinum

This technology presents an approach to create micron-sized filaments that are platinum coated and contain a silver core. Unlike pure platinum wires, these filaments are easier to manufacture and have better electrical and thermal properties. Once pr...

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