An energy materials research group at the University of Surrey has been granted £292k by the EPSRC to develop low temperature fuel cells. Fuel cells, though holding huge potential for ‘clean’ energy, are very expensive to make and not yet stable enough.
Fuel cells, typically, use acidic polymers and need platinum electrocatalysts to work. The research group, led by Dr John Varcoe, will explore the possibility of using alkaline rather than acidic polymers which could negate the need for platinum.
Working without platinum
Commenting on the research, Dr Varcoe said: “We recently successfully completed a previous three year EPSRC funded programme (grant GR/S60709/01) developing alkaline membrane fuel cells where our work showed that contrary to prior wisdom these alkaline polymers are good ionic conductors and do not suffer from performance losses due to the reaction of the hydroxide anions with carbon dioxide in the air as found with traditional non-polymer potassium hydroxide containing alkaline fuel cells. This project also showed that metals such as silver can perform as well as platinum in such systems.”
The research is due to be completed in March 2011.
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Date Published: January 23, 2008
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