A new study published in Nature Energy has developed an iron-based catalyst that is efficient, durable, and inexpensive, meeting the three main objectives identified by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for fuel cell research. This discovery could potentially reduce the cost of fuel cells, making them more accessible for commercial use.
Overcoming the Durability Barrier
To overcome the durability barrier, the research team bonded four nitrogen atoms to the iron and embedded the material in a few layers of graphene. This structure resulted in a vastly improved catalyst, with the potential to make fuel cells, particularly hydrogen fuel cells, much more affordable for commercial use. The catalyst is believed to be the most efficient iron-based catalyst produced to date, exceeding the DOE’s 2025 target for electric current density. It also achieved a durability rating that approaches platinum group catalysts.