With the need to meet the ever increasing energy demand from non-fossil fuel sources research into PEM (proton exchange membrane) Fuel Cells is an important area of research today. ACAL Energy’s patented FlowCath technology provides a low-cost and radical alternative to current technology by using a liquid catalyst (catholyte) to replace up to 80% of the solid Pt found in a standard PEM Fuel Cells. In this work we incorporate high-throughput methods to improve the productivity and quality of research-enabling the development of new liquid catholytes. The high-throughput method utilized produced in excess of two hundred formulations which were tested against the current catholyte system. Two new formulations were developed with improved anodic current as well as no decrease in the standard rate constant for electron transfer (k0) and an increase in k0 whilst an increase in cathodic current is also evident, respectively. The development of these high-throughput methods will allow for rapid development of the FlowCath technology and aid in the synthesis of the next generation of catholyte.
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Development of Platinum-Free Catalysts for PEM Fuel Cell Technology Ben Alston**, Sean Higgins**, Hywel Davies***, Andrew Creeth***, Richard J. Nichols**, and Andrew I. Cooper**,*. * University of Liverpool, Crown Street, L69 7ZD Liverpool, UK ** University of Liverpool, Centre for Materials Discovery, Liverpool, UK *** ACAL Energy, Runcorn, UK DOI: 10.2174/9781608058723114010013
About Acal Energy
ACAL Energy is an innovative chemical company developing and licensing a ground-breaking platinum free liquid catalyst, FlowCath®. We are the world's leading developer of low cost Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) systems used to power fuel cells. ACAL Energy’s patented approach will change the future of automotive power trains and stationary power sources.
About University of Liverpool
Founded in 1881, the University of Liverpool has an impressive history of pioneering education and research, with a particular emphasis on 'education for the professions'. The University produces industry-ready graduates. Today they are a principal centre of excellence in many disciplines, including engineering, medicine, dentistry, business and law. As one of the UK’s top 20 research-led universities, they are furthering knowledge with strategic partners worldwide and they intend to double our £123m pa research budget by 2015. Education creates opportunity. They are proud to be one of the UK’s most inclusive universities, welcoming students from a wide variety of backgrounds and from over 100 countries of the world. Additional information
