Gold Chemistry: Utilizing Gold-based Cores for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

Structure of PEMFC with gold inserted in optimal positions. Gold atoms create orderly places for iron and platinum atoms, then retreat to the periphery of the fuel cell, where they scrub carbon monoxide from fuel reactions (Source: Brown University)

With the increasing concern on pollution, Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs)-powered vehicles are now taking the spotlight in the field of environment-friendly technologies due to its benefits especially in the urban areas, where pollution is highly observed.

Although PEMFCs propose a feasible solution to lessen carbon footprint, it has two major drawbacks: (1) its high cost and (2) gradual degradation of Platinum for the reaction to occur therefore making its production limited. .

In line with this, researchers from the University of Texas, together with the Department of Energy in the USA, utilized a new approach to inhibit the dissolution of platinum through studying its properties of platinum on the atomic and molecular levels. Accordingly, the researchers managed to propose the use of Gold as an alternative to platinum to avoid cathodic degradation which affects the long term use of the cell fuel.

According to Vojislav Stamenkovic, a senior scientist of the research team, they utilized electrochemical methods and several spectroscopy analysis on platinum to study the stabilizing effect of gold-based cores to the platinum arrangement, thus eliminating the degradation of platinum but maintaining efficient catalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).

Alongside this, a predictive mathematical algorithm is being developed by the team to determine the extent of its relative stability, which it is expected to be 30 times more durable than the ordinary platinum catalyst PEMFCs.

With these advances, eco-friendly vehicles are said to become cheaper and more durable in the following years to come.