Fuel cells are highly efficient energy conversion devices; they can operate on fuels such as natural gas, methane, and methanol as well as hydrogen generated using diverse domestic resources. Fuel cells are efficient, scalable, and can be used in a variety of applications - from the transportation sector to the generation of primary and secondary power. The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE's) Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Program supports early-stage research and development leading to energy security and resiliency, paving the way to a strong domestic economy. Because reducing cost and increasing durability remain as the major challenges in the advancement of fuel cell technology, early-stage R&D includes improvements in performance and durability and lower cost catalysts as well as membrane electrode assemblies for fuel cells and electrolyzers.

This presentation will describe the development of oxygen reduction catalysts for fuel cells focusing on the tremendous achievements from Dr. Adzic of Brookhaven National Laboratory. His association with DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy began in 2003 with the introduction of Platinum Monolayer Electrocatalysts and was extended to the broader concept of core-shell catalysts. As just a single recent example of the promise of the catalysts, Dr. Adzic and his team recently found that nitriding core components, such as NiPd alloy, in core-shell electrocatalysts resulted in a 50% reduction in Pd content compared to extant Pt/Pd/C catalysts and enhanced overall stability and activity. As a whole, the core shell catalysts have captured the attention of the industry and beyond resulting in U.S. patents, some of which have been licensed to catalyst producers. Other research groups have adopted BNL's concept of core-shell catalysts as well as the use of gold for increasing durability in catalysts. Not surprisingly, R&D 100 and many other awards have followed.