This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project addresses the need for CO-tolerant anode electrocatalysts for proton exchange membrane fuel cells operating with reformate hydrogen. Improving the tolerance to carbon monoxide will reduce the required loadings of noble metal catalyst and permit operation on reformed hydrocarbon fuels without requiring separation and purification of the hydrogen. The proposed approach is a synergistic combination of two previous strategies that have proven successful in improving the efficiency and CO tolerance of anodic electrocatalysts. Inherently active and poison-tolerant high surface area support materials will be used. In addition, the supports will be modified to create highly disperse bifunctional sites. Phase I involved a systematic study of three process variables used in preparing the supported catalyst materials. The composition and microstructure of the materials will be analyzed. Electrodes will be prepared for standard electrochemical measurements of activity. In Phase II, electrode designs will be optimized and electrochemical measurements extended to evaluate full cell and stacked cell performance as a function of catalyst loading, temperature range and fuel composition. Reducing catalyst costs will address a key obstacle hindering the commercialization of PEM fuel cells for vehicle propulsion and off-grid electric power generation.
