Method of Preparing an Electrode Catalyst for Fuel Cells, and a Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell

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This invention presents a method for preparing an electrode catalyst for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) that have improved performance by preventing catalyst flooding. The method involves creating a catalyst from a carbon-based nitrogen-metal complex (MNx, where M is a transition metal coordinated to 2–4 nitrogen atoms), then treating the catalyst with water-repelling (hydrophobic) agents, such as fluorination processes, to make it less hydrophilic and resistant to water flooding. This allows the fuel cell to maintain high catalytic activity during operation.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Fuel cells for electric vehicles (EVs), especially where durability and high performance are necessary
• Stationary fuel cell systems for home or industrial power generation
• Portable or backup power supplies relying on fuel cell technology
• Fuel cells used in combined heat and power (CHP) applications
• Any application where low-cost, non-platinum fuel cell catalysts with robust water management are valuable

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Prevents loss of catalyst performance due to flooding caused by water accumulation, leading to more stable long-term operation
• Enables the use of less expensive, non-platinum catalysts, potentially reducing material costs
• Improved catalyst durability and reliability in fuel cell systems
• Maintains higher power output and efficiency under variable operating conditions
• Facilitates broader adoption of fuel cell technology by reducing reliance on scarce noble metals and improving system robustness

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Patent Abstract

Decrease in catalyst performance of an electrode catalyst for fuel cells due to flooding is controlled. In a method of manufacturing an electrode catalyst for fuel cells comprising a pyrolysed catalyst which is prepared from the carbon-based MNx (2 = x =4) centre catalyst material, in which a metal (M) is coordinated to the two ~ four nitrogen atoms, the pyrolysed catalyst is subjected to water-repelling treatment.