Fuel cells get stronger, potentially cheaper with graphene, ITO
As the sustainable Juggernaut
of fuel cell vehicles (FCV) powers ever forward, a group of scientists
are cooking up ways to make the alternative energy source more durable
and even cheaper. By combining graphene
-- think pencil lead -- and indium tin oxide (ITO) nanoparticles, the
team produced a catalytic material that is both stronger and more
chemically active than the usual catalytic combo. Fuel cells typically
use a chemical catalyst like platinum, sitting atop a base of black
carbon or metal oxides, to break down oxygen and hydrogen gases,
creating water in the process -- thing is, carbon is easily eroded by
the resulting water, and metal oxides, while more stable, are less
conductive. Using graphene -- which because of its porousness erodes
less quickly -- in combination with the stable ITO and platinum
nanoparticles, researchers have created what could be referred to as a
super fuel cell -- a stronger, longer lasting, and potentially cheaper
version of the alternative energy source. Unfortunately, without enough hydrogen filling stations, these super fuel cells won't come to anyone's rescue anytime soon.
0 Comments