Hitachi Maxell, Ltd., a Japanese electrical device manufacturer, announced on March 27, 2008, that it has developed a new technology to synthesize a highly activated gold-platinum (AuPt) catalyst for oxygen reduction used at the cathode end of a fuel cell. This AuPt catalyst generates about 4.8 times higher oxygen reduction current per unit area than conventional platinum catalysts.

Platinum is generally used as a catalyst for oxygen reduction in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs), a promising clean energy source for automobiles, households, and mobile devices. As platinum is an expensive precious metal, however, it is necessary to minimize its usage while further improving its catalytic activity in order to reduce PEFC costs.

The company's method of increasing surface area by reducing the particle size of platinum is considered effective for improving catalytic activity. With its technological expertise in nano-level particle synthesis, Maxell has succeeded in developing this new catalyst – which is two to three nanometers in size -- by combining gold and platinum at 100 degrees Celsius using citric acid as a reducing agent.

Based on its growing expertise with nanotechnologies, Maxell plans to continue research and development with a view to practical application of this catalyst for PEFCs and direct methanol fuel cells.

http://www.maxell.co.jp/e/release/20080327.html

Posted: 2008/08/08 06:45:42 AM

TAG Eco-product/Business , Energy , Manufacturing industry , Technology