Development of High-Performance 'Atomic Catalyst'... Accelerating Fuel Cell Commercialization

Solid oxide fuel cell electrodes (from left), single-atom catalysts formed on the surface inside the electrode, platinum atoms dispersed on the catalyst surface

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] Domestic researchers have developed an atomic catalyst that operates stably at high temperatures using only a small amount of platinum. When applied to fuel cells, the electrode reaction rate can be increased by 10 times, and the power and hydrogen production capacity can be enhanced by 3 to 4 times. It is expected to operate stably for more than 500 hours even at high temperatures above 700℃, making it a promising technology for next-generation combined cycle fuel cells.

The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) announced on the 13th that the research team led by Dr. Kyungjoong Yoon and researcher Jisoo Shin from the Energy Materials Research Division, in collaboration with Professor Yoonjung Lee from Hanyang University, developed a single-atom catalyst. The related research results were published in the latest issue of the international journal Energy & Environmental Science.

The single-atom catalyst disperses platinum atoms and strongly bonds them with cerium (Ce) oxide nanoparticles. The research team reported that this catalyst operated stably for more than 500 hours without platinum atoms agglomerating even at high temperatures (700℃). The power and hydrogen production performance were 3 to 4 times higher than existing catalysts, and the electrode reaction rate was about 10 times higher.

The research team expects this to accelerate the commercialization of solid oxide fuel cells, a next-generation eco-friendly fuel cell technology.

Dr. Kyungjoong Yoon stated, "The catalyst developed in this study can be widely applied to various types of solid oxide fuel cells and high-temperature electrochemical devices using an easy and simple low-cost process, and is expected to be broadly utilized in the development of next-generation eco-friendly power generation and energy storage devices."

He added, "In particular, by demonstrating the possibility that the single-atom catalyst can operate stably at very high temperatures above 700℃, it is expected that its application range will greatly expand to high-temperature thermochemical reactions and high-temperature electrochemical reactions in the future."

Solid oxide fuel cells use ceramics as electrolytes. Because they operate at high temperatures above 700℃, they can achieve the highest efficiency among fuel cells and enable combined power generation that decomposes steam generated during power generation to regenerate hydrogen.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.